This year’s Super Bowl offered up a great lesson for my kids. No, I’m not talking about how the Denver Broncos managed to stop the Carolina Panthers from scoring and won Super Bowl 50. Instead it was a lesson in character.
Watching the postgame interview with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton our family was taken aback with just how sullen he was, how he avoided questions, even leaving after just a few minutes. It was disconcerting to see somebody who was voted in as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player to act like such a petulant child.
A lot of people are rushing to Cam Newton’s defense, saying “He’s young” or “How would you feel losing the biggest game of the year and possibly your career? Wouldn’t you be disappointed?” You know what? The actions of Cam Newton at that press conference were not the actions of a league MVP.
Disappointment I get. The man has every right to be upset and disappointed. I actually would expect that from him. What nobody expected was for him to avoid addressing the public the way he did. This is a man who talks a lot, who dishes it out, but when the chips are down, what does he do?
Being a gracious loser is the lesson here I want my kids to learn. Cam Newton did not display this trait at all. The Seattle Times has a good article about the contrast between last year’s post Super Bowl interview with the losing quarterback and this year’s. The excuses of youth and disappointment are met with an example that is directly contrary to those. One can be disappointed and still act in an adult manner rather than that of a child having a fit because he did not get his way.
Often it is not just enough to be a good sport and gracious winner. Losing with dignity is equally important. I want my kids to remember that.