FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2015, file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game in Atlanta. Newton's spectacular season has earned him The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) More Cam
Cam Newton told reporters Tuesday a litany of things.
He covered his petulance and his "business" decision not to dive into the pile after a fumble.
He offered no apologies and was as brash as ever.
In truth, his directness and his openness were the picture of confidence that teeters the line between self-assured and self-aggrandizing.
There's little chance that what he had to say Tuesday changed the opinions of his fans or his detractors. In fact, in most ways it simply galvanized each camp.
Those that support Cam likely nodded at his rationale.
Those that dislike Cam likely were unimpressed during the soundbites of "Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser" among others.
That said, the entirety of his news conference was more than a quick-hitting quote that references the famous Vince Lombardi quote.
It also offers an interesting question about what we want from our superstars.
Everyone can concur that our society is short on politeness and sportsmanship. For crying out loud, the current frontrunner for the highest office in the land is a shoot-from-the-lip schoolyard bully. It's a by-product of shock-jockitude and the all-or-nothing canvas of everything from the quick take to the Fox vs. CNN media wars.
Cam's petulance Sunday night was disappointing, and pouting is rarely a good look, be it after an 8-year-old basketball game or the Super Bowl.
But his reaction after the game - a true gesture of sportsmanship to Denver players, especially Peyton Manning - goes completely unrecognized. Why is that?
Are we that focused on the negative? Maybe. Bad news, sadly, sells, and goodness knows the internet morality mob is always ready to pounce, especially when it can galvanize around something as one-sided as poor sportsmanship (or racism or fill in the blank).
The questions, though, are deeper, too, in regard to Cam. This is not about skin color or even his Superman antics, per se. And it's deeper, too, than just perceived postgame sportsmanship.
Would you rather your quarterback be authentic or put on a show? It's not that cut-and-dried, of course, but why do we expect new generations to act like our heroes of days gone by?
Maybe we got spoiled because Manning always knew the right thing to say. (Side question: Which is a worse showing of sportsmanship: Manning storming off the field after losing the Super Bowl to the Saints a few years ago and then being his gracious self in the media room or Cam doing the exact opposite Sunday night?)
And this is not to excuse Cam. In fact, there will be a lot of folks who will never like him because of stuff like this.
But he's OK with that because he's being him. Like it or not.
FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2015, file photo, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino calls a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky. Pitino says the NCAA has not interviewed him about an escort's book on allegations of sex parties at Louisville players' dormitory but believes one person did "scurrilous things." Katina Powell alleges former Louisville staffer Andre McGee hired her and other dancers to strip and have sex with recruits and players. Pitino didn't mention McGee as the person in question but says, "The only thing I don't know is why he did it.” (AP Photo/James Crisp, File) Cards' lead joker
We loved Weeds' column on the sleazy-easy-squeezey dude Rick Pitino has become.
Does anyone else feel like they need a shower when hearing about the next Pitino story?
He was on Mike & Mike on Tuesday morning, and while he answered a slew of direct questions, it still comes across as hollow.
We do agree with Pitino, who said the system is broken. Debate all you want about the system being broken by guys like him who game the system, and there's truth to that. So why he has blame on this system being the system we have, but the current system is cracked.
Man, and is there any NCAA rule that needs to be changed more than punishing the current team for the sins of previous players/coaches/recruits.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Alonzo Gee (15) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) NBA showdown
Tonight, Kobe Bryant and the woeful Lakers face LeBron James and the Cavs.
Two of the game's all-time greats going at it. The disparity between the teams means it likely won't be a good game, but the presence of two of the best ever calls for attention.
It also calls for a question: This is the final year for Kobe, and James still has several years in front off him.
When it's all said and done, who will be viewed as the better player, Kobe or LeBron?
Whatcha' got?
This and that
- New Hampshire primary has us as confused as ever. Bernie Sanders routed Hillary Clinton. Trump won on the GOP side, with John Kasich - yes, John Kasich - placing second and Jeb Bush feeling energized and Marco Rubio apologizing. Side note: Let's remember not to put too much on the views of a state with fewer people than the metro-Nashville area. Side note, II: It's time for Ben Carson, Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina to excuse themselves from the GOP race.
- Ole Miss football was hit with 13 of the 28 charges the NCAA has made against the Rebels athletics department. Nine of those 13 allegedly happened under current coach Hugh Freeze.
- Wow, did anyone notice how bad Auburn basketball has become? Yes, Kareem Canty can play, but even with the currently suspended point guard, how did that team beat Kentucky?
- Scary stuff right here as UNC coach Roy Williams collapsed during the Heels' game last night. Side point: Man it's easy to forget a lot of these larger-than-life figures are just normal human beings, you know?
- This was a pretty cool trick shot from Bubba Watson.
- Interesting story from Mean Gene Henley on the Mocs - aka The Greatest Team in the HISTORY of Tennessee basketball.
Today's question
On this day in 1920, baseball did away with the spitball. So there's that.
Today also is Elizabeth Banks' birthday (she's 42) and considering Stewwie's great Lego Movie reference earlier this week, we'll go here: Rushmore of post-2000 kids movies.
Whatcha' got, and remember the mailbag.