Despite his tremendous success, both at the college and professional levels, Cam Newton remains one of the more criticized NFL players around the league.
He’s been criticized for what he wears off the field, how he plays on it and especially for how he chooses to celebrate his success as well as lament his failure.
Many have suggested he is subject to extra scrutiny because of the color of his skin, but he’s not buying that theory.
That’s the message he shared with GQ Magazine.
“It’s not racism,” Newton told GQ. “Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion. I don’t want this to be about race, because it’s not. It’s not,” Newton said. “Like, we’re beyond that. As a nation.”
There are many who would argue that we, as a nation, are certainly not “beyond that.”
The recent “Black Lives Matter” movement would seem to prove that many African-Americans do not agree with Newton’s statement.
And there are many who would argue that Newton absolutely does receive more than his fair share of criticism because he’s an African-American playing what has mostly been a white-dominated position throughout the history of the league.
Likely, this isn’t exactly what Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett had in mind when he implored Newton to act as a leader within the community to speak up on social issues.
Still, whether you agree with his message or not, Newton is taking a stand. He wants to move past the issue of race, which is a commendable goal.