Ron Rivera defended Cam Newton when discussing the reigning NFL MVP's abrupt exit from his postgame press conference after the Carolina Panthers lost in the Super Bowl. Rivera also broached the topic of changing how press conferences after the Super Bowl are organized.
While Newton was criticized from all over for cutting short his press conference, some pointed out that certain audio feeds revealed the QB could plainly hear a Denver Broncos player joyously discussing his team's win. Rivera even suggested the Super Bowl's losing team should not even have to meet with the media after the game.
"What do you expect? He's [26]," Rivera said. "Everything he's ever wanted to be, he had that opportunity and he didn't get it. And he's so hurt by it, he's crushed by it. I mean, he put it all on himself. He took it for 52 other guys and coaches. And that's a huge burden to bear because everything he wants to be is that winner, that guy that helps us get it. That, to me, is really the way I looked at it."
The Panthers coach also argued Newton is of a new generation of athletes. Though he would not join the chorus of voices adding definitions to the "millennial generation," he said it is important to accept Newton for who he is and put his actions in context.
"These are millennials, these are young men and women athletes that are being brought up in a different way and we need to learn to adapt to the way they are," Rivera said. "These are young people that express themselves. When he's happy, he's going to express himself, when he's sad he's going to express himself too."
Rivera added: "Think about Jerry West and the way he was and how much of a bad loser he was. I mean, Mr. West was one of the most tremendous athletes ever, but yet he struggled with losing."
Though Newton has grabbed headlines and fielded criticism for excessive celebrations, he is also a leader in his community, the head of a charity and an all-around good guy. The Panthers appeared to wish Newton handled his postgame press conference differently, but Rivera's comments indicate the team did not consider it to be a major issue. The team also stuck up for Newton when Goose Gossage used his name to criticize the younger generation of baseball players.
Newton is coming off an MVP campaign in which he threw for 35 touchdowns and ran for 10 more while totaling nearly 4,500 yards of total offense.
"Nobody understands those things or celebrates those things. But do something wrong, slip up, don't be the person everybody wants you to be and everybody gets upset," Rivera said. "How about understanding who he is? Spend a week with him and be in his shoes for a week and see what it's like. It's hard. I promise you, it's hard."
