For us, the Super Bowl is just a game; for the players in the NFL, it’s their profession, their livelihood, the manifestation of their dreams. And unlike most of us, when we fail miserably at work or don’t reach a goal we set for ourselves, we get to maintain some level of privacy about it. But Cam Newton and the rest of the Panthers had their inadequacies broadcast for millions across the country to watch. For many, it played out on a jumbrotron.
Not only did it happen and we all watched it, the humiliation had to be replayed during the press conference when a room full of reporters asked the face of the team, Cam Newton, about the loss. Most of us can testify and talk about our shortcomings weeks, months or years after they happen. But Newton had to discuss it within minutes of losing the most important game of his career so far. And after giving a few curt answers to several cliche questions, he couldn’t do it anymore. He shook his head and walked off the stage.
Seeing that there was no way the Panthers could come back from and win the game, I’d long since checked out. But when I saw him get up and walk away from the press conference, I thought dang. I get it. I understand it. But this is just going to be used as ammunition by the White folks who haven’t been able to stomach his Blackness and his bravado all season long.
And I was right.
Bill Romanowski tweeted this after Newton walked out of the press conference.
Boy, huh? During Black History Month? We’ll get to that later.
Romanowski wasn’t the only one. Actor Rob Lowe, who’s known as a big Colts and Peyton Manning fan, even got involved in all the fun.
Let’s start with Romanowski. The 49-year-old former linebacker in the NFL was no joke back in his day. He was a four time Super Bowl champion during his 16-year football career. But for all his accolades, Romanowski is infamous for being one of the dirtiest, most unsportsmanlike players in the league.
The man has a virtual rap sheet when it comes to offenses on the football field, some of which involved his own teammates. He ripped off the helmet of one player, punched Tony Gonzalez in the head, spat on J.J. Stokes, broke Kerry Collins’ jaw and kicked Larry Centers in the head. All of his offenses throughout his career resulted in fines totaling over $79,000. The man has a problem.
And while he tweeted that the word “Boy” was in reference to Newton’s maturity and not anything racial, there was a clip of Romanowski talking about this desire to choke Newton as the hosts of the Bleacher Report laughed and literally made “I Can’t Breathe” jokes.
Bill Romanowski on how he’d stop Cam: I would hit him as hard as possible then try to choke him under the pile.
