By now, we're pretty sure you saw the interview this week in which Cam Newton offered a rather candid and pointed look at his critics.
This has been discussed a fair amount by a fair amount of folks. He is the starting quarterback - and likely the MVP of the NFL - for one of the teams in the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl, as you may recall, is the largest event in pop culture.
(Why it takes the color of the quarterback in the Super Bowl to generate a somewhat meaningful and calm discussion of race screams volumes about the sad statement on our racial discourse and our priorities.)
If you had to guess the percentage of people cheering for the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning over the Carolina Panthers and Newton in the Super Bowl, the breakdown would be at least 80-20 and more likely 85-15.
The two quarterbacks represent two strikingly different styles in almost every way - play, fashion, commercial persona, you name it.
Sure, they have some similarities. Believe it or not, both were somewhat controversial No. 1 overall draft picks - Manning over Ryan Leaf, Newton over a talented field of players. They have pulled more college fans to the NFL than any players in recent memory. (Seriously, the number of Auburn fans who have become satellite Panthers fans is surpassed only by the Tennessee fans who have Colts and Broncos No. 18 jerseys.)
They also could be the prototypes of a changing NFL around them. Manning led the quick-strike, option-route revolution; Newton is the physical beast big enough, fast enough and strong enough to be a running quarterback in pro football. They also are genuine leaders, guys who have the best athletes in the world gravitate toward them and trust in them.
But Manning is beloved and Newton is the topic of letters to the editor of papers across the country complaining about his style.
The perception of Newton is intriguing, considering all the things he does for charity and kids off the field, yet the underlying fact is a lot of the country simply doesn't like Cam.
There are a variety of factors.
One of them is race. Yes, we think the race card is played far too often in this country (#Oscarssowhite comes to mind), and the locker room is the most colorblind place in the world (if you are purple with polka dots and can play, the most important thing is you can play). But to deny there's racism in this country is as goofy as rapper B.o.B.'s passionate belief the world is flat.
Part of it is age. Newton is 26 and playing the game with the emotions and celebrations (sometimes over the top, mind you) and antics of a generation conditioned more on Madden the video game than Madden the football persona.
Part of it is style and position perception. Newton does it differently than most quarterbacks, and as a general rule, we as a sports culture are not overly open to change. (Still, though, the fact that Aaron Rodgers' 'Discount Double Check' move is a beloved part of a national ad campaign but Newton's celebrations are unacceptable is a curious discount double standard.)
Love him or loathe him, that's your right. That's the tradeoff for such popularity - and fame and salary - that comes with being the star.
But the collective feeling on Newton cannot be pigeon-holed. No one is going to admit to any of the "-isms." Not now, not ever.
To be sure, though, Newton is far from beloved on a national level. He ranked 22nd in jersey sales this year, behind such big shots as Jason Witten and Clay Matthews despite being the best player on the best team in the most popular league on the planet.
Yes, jersey sales are a peculiar metric - there are four Seahawks on the list in front of Newton - and they hardly have any place in the discussion of effectiveness. Heck, Colin Kaepernick is 10th on that list and he's a backup to Blaine Gabbert, for Pete's sake.
Still, Newton's unreal athleticism and abilities and charisma have not captivated the country. He does not hide from his celebrations or his color or his enthusiasm, and that offends some for whatever reason.
All of that makes it more fascinating that Newton is going against Manning - the most loved star athlete in America who is far past his athletic prime - in the biggest stage in sports.
Manning is the face of the league. He offers an unreal sentimental story. He is the mental version of Newton's unreal physicality.
Does that make this a black-and-white issue?
Not entirely, but the layers are intriguing and interesting, and to deny that race is a part of it makes no sense.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343. Follow him on Twitter @jgreesontfp.