Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has a penchant for big plays and even bigger celebrations. It's earned him plenty of fans, as well as a legion of devout detractors. The latest in that ever-lengthening line of party poopers is former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher. You know, the guy who totally has a full head of hair now.
Urlacher spoke to USA TODAY Sports recently to champion a promotion he was doing with Marriott International where he surprised a family - while wearing a hat, interestingly - with 50 tickets to Super Bowl 50. Between bouts of attempts at self-deprecating humor - when he sees picture of bald Brian, he apparently turns into a 12-year-old and says 'ew' - Urlacher talked a bit about the Super Bowl 50 matchup and revealed that he counts himself among those who don't like the way Newton celebrates after scoring.
"I played defense so I don't like when guys celebrate with dances and stuff. You know who I like the way he celebrates is Peyton. He kind of gives the guy a handshake and goes back to the sidelines. I think that's a great celebration right there," Urlacher said, per USA TODAY Sports. "You don't see him dancing. You don't see him doing all of that stuff. Even when he gets a first down he doesn't do anything."
First off, Manning is a phenomenal dancer and isn't afraid to bust a move when he has to.
Second, as Newton himself asserted previously, there's a pretty easy way for teams to keep him from celebrating - keep him out of the end zone. Frankly, it doesn't matter what Urlacher likes or doesn't like. Newton is a phenomenal player, perhaps the best at his position at this point, thanks to his combination of accuracy, athleticism and leadership. Perhaps most importantly, he looks like he's having fun when he plays. That's astounding in a sport dominated by players like Manning and Tom Brady, who so often look as if the lives of their beautiful little children are on the line when they take the field.
The dances will, and should, continue from here until the end of Newton's career. He's earned the right. It's strange that such a talented and successful NFL player has cultivated such a committed band of critics, but in the end, all that matters is his own success.
Next weekend, Newton has the chance to write the next chapter in what could very well become a storied football career.
