This is getting ridiculous now. I mean, I could see it if she was complaining about Von Miller or Michael Bennett. Cam Newton has been taking major heat for his dab dance, doing it several times after scoring a touchdown against the Titans.
One concerned Titans fan named Rosemary Plorin, a Nashville resident who attended Sunday’s game with her nine-year-old daughter, wrote an open letter to the Charlotte Observer blasting Newton for his “arrogant strut” and “pelvic thrust," saying it scarred her daughter.
Dear Mr. Newton,
Congratulations on your win in Nashville today. Our team played well, but yours played better. Kudos to the Panthers organization.
That game happened to be my nine year old daughter’s first live NFL experience. … Because of where we sat, we had a close up view of your conduct in the fourth quarter. The chest puffs. The pelvic thrusts. The arrogant struts and the “in your face” taunting of both the Titans’ players and fans. We saw it all.
I refuse to believe you don’t realize you are a role model. You are paid millions of dollars every week to play hard and be a leader. In the off season you’re expected to make appearances, support charities, and inspire young kids to pursue your sport and all sports. With everything the NFL has gone through in recent years, I’m confident they have advised that you are, by virtue of your position and career choice, a role model.
My daughter sensed the change immediately – and started asking questions. Won’t he get in trouble for doing that? Is he trying to make people mad? Do you think he knows he looks like a spoiled brat?
I didn’t have great answers for her, and honestly, in an effort to minimize your negative impact and what was otherwise a really fun day, I redirected her attention to the cheerleaders and mascot.
I could tell she was still thinking about it as we boarded a shuttle back to our car. “I guess he doesn’t have kids or a Mom at home watching the game,” she added.
I don’t know about your family life Mr. Newton, but I think I’m safe in saying thousands of kids watch you every week. You have amazing talent and an incredible platform to be a role model for them. Unfortunately, what you modeled for them today was egotism, arrogance and poor sportsmanship.
Is that what your coaches and mentors modeled for you, Mr. Newton?
Yes, this is really happening. I mean, I see more appalling pelvic thrusts in sack celebrations from defensive ends than Cam displays in his simple touchdown dance.
By Glenn Erby
