The Carolina Panthers are recognized as one of the most unexpected breakout teams this NFL season. Coming off a disappointing run in 2014-15, the Cam Newton surpassed expectations and rose as one of the best teams in the league. With only one loss throughout the NFL season, the Carolina Panthers are targeting a spectacular Super Bowl 50 win over the Denver Broncos.
Although the Carolina Panthers have been impressive this NFL season, fans of the football community remain critical of the team, particularly of their quarterback. Newton, who has been playing at an MVP level throughout the season, has been subjected to harsh criticism. What's more is that the reasons behind the tongue lashing against the quarterback involve random moments. Critics may call him out for his dancing, his swagger in the field.
"I've said this since Day One," said Newton via New York Daily News when asked about the criticisms he received this NFL season. "I'm an African-American quarterback that scares people because they haven't seen nothing that they can compare me to."
Newton went on to share, "People are going to judge, and have opinions on things I don't have control over. I felt a certain type of way then and I feel a certain type of way now - nothing has pretty much changed. They talk about maturity. They talk about skill set. The only thing that has changed is that we're winning now."
Ron Rivera, the Carolina Panthers coach, shared that Newton aims to overcome the prejudice people have against him. Moreover, he shared that the quarterback is a "different" type of player. That is, Newton offers an all-around service for the NFL team which makes him an amazing football star.
"I don't think he wants to be known as an African-American quarterback. He wants to be known as a quarterback. I think that is what drives him, to be able to transcend those boundaries, which I think is great," said Rivera of Newton. He added, "The thing about Cam is, as he said, he's special, he's different. How many 6-5 quarterbacks do you see like him, 260, running like he does and throwing like he does? He's different. And I think that's the only thing people should say is the skill set is different more so than anything else."
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos have been bombarded with issues regarding the quarterback post. With both Brock Osweiler and Peyton Manning healthy, the team is said to be figuring out who will be best for the Super Bowl 50. However, coach Gary Kubiak remains adamant on his move to start Manning against the Carolina Panthers.
"We never felt any of that division or anything like that," said Aqib Talib said via ESPN of the rumored rift in the Denver Broncos locker room. The cornerback added, "Coach [Gary] Kubiak, he kept everybody in the loop, no surprises, told us to concentrate on doing our jobs and good things would happen. Man, he knows, so that's what we did, and now we're where we are."
The Super Bowl 50 is scheduled for February 7, 2016. The match will be held at 6:30 pm ET via CBS. Fans of the NFL can go to the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California to witness the face-off between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos live.
