Panthers QB Cam Newton on dancing: ‘We’re celebrating because there’s greatness in the air’
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is keenly aware of how polarizing some of his dances and other antics are for fans and observers alike.
He’s also savvy enough to know that if this team wasn’t 13-0 and he wasn’t in MVP discussions, a lot of it wouldn’t fly.
“I think a lot of it has to do with winning, I can tell you that. If I was doing a lot of things that I’m doing right now when we weren’t winning, I’d be getting (eaten) up and spit back out,” Newton said Wednesday. “Especially with this dancing that some people approve of and some people don’t. I’m human. I understand that winning sweeps a lot of things under the rug. But my influence still hasn’t changed. I was doing this when we were 3-8-1. There’s a lot that comes with being a quarterback in this league, and it’s not for long. So while I have an opportunity to do a lot of things, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”
From the dab to Tennessee mom to posing for sideline pictures at the end of a victory, Newton and his teammates have been enjoying the moment.
“When we do things that we work so hard to get, it deserves a celebration from time to time,” Newton said. “I don’t believe we play this game to be subpar or mediocre. And this season has not been mediocre by any means. We don’t mean to brush people to wrong way. We’re just excited to do what we do.”
Not all of Newton’s celebrations have come when the Panthers are winning, though. In 2012 he celebrated a late touchdown against the Giants that made the score 23-7 with his Superman pose. He caught flak for weeks.
And two weeks ago against the Saints, Newton coasted to the goal line only to be knocked out of bounds at the 1 by a defender he never saw. Newton said after the game that he deserved the hit for thinking he could walk in.
But so long as the Panthers keep winning, don’t expect Newton or the team to stop.
“We’re celebrating because there’s greatness in the air,” Newton said. “People are making the most of each and every opportunity that they get, and I hope it never stops – especially this season.”
This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Panthers QB Cam Newton on dancing: ‘We’re celebrating because there’s greatness in the air’."