NFL star Cam Newton raised eyebrows on Monday for refusing to label his critics a bunch of racists at GQ magazine’s suggestion.
The Carolina Panthers quarterback sat down with the men’s magazine for its latest issue, where he was peppered with questions about Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, transgender bathroom laws and allegedly racist fans.
“Do you feel like football fans are racist toward you?” asked writer Zach Baron.
“It’s not racism. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion,” replied Mr. Newton.
“So if it’s not that, what is it, do you think?” pushed the writer.
“I’ll let you be the judge. I don’t look at it like that. I look at it like some people have certain beliefs, and I have my own belief, and we can agree to disagree on certain things. But this is what makes sports so amazing, that we can start a discussion around a table, in the newspaper, in the magazines, that will get people’s attention. And that’s what sports does. … I don’t want this to be about race, because it’s not. It’s not. Like, we’re beyond that. As a nation.”
“You really think so?” asked Mr. Baron.
“Yeah. I mean, you bring it to people’s attention. But after that, that’s it.”
The Super Bowl 50 starting quarterback also said he had no opinion on Mr. Trump other than acknowledging his success as a businessman. He declined to discuss whether he voted for North Carolina’s governor Pat McCrory because the question was “too personal,” and said “I love people too much” to get involved in political debates about transgender bathroom bills.
“I think the bill is repellent. I’m not trying to be coy,” said the GQ writer.
Sports analysts were aghast at Mr. Newton’s responses.
“There’s no way I believe Cam Newton really believes that,” said ESPN’s Jemele Hill on Monday.
SB Nation writer Tyler Tynes added on Twitter, “This makes me incredibly sad. The NFL finally made Cam Newton denounce who he is.”
The Carolina Panthers will kick off their season Sept. 8 at Sports Authority Field versus the Denver Broncos.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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