Cam Newton earned a lot of criticism for his less-than-engaging post-game press conference after the Carolina Panthers lost Super Bowl 50 to the Denver Broncos earlier this month.
Apart from the backlash that he received for his “unprofessional” attitude, the New York Yankees is using him as an example of the wrong way of dealing with the media.
No dabbing from the Bronx Bombers. Yankees to players: Don’t be like Cam Newton https://t.co/DlU9pIM4ac pic.twitter.com/edplKapJFU
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 23, 2016
It is spring training for most American League teams, and players are not just developed physically and mentally for the games, but also educated on the proper way to address reporters. For the Yankees, the latter is more important than some people think as they constantly face the ruthless New York media.
Part of the media training module includes bringing in guest speakers and showing videos that depict the right and wrong ways of acting around the media.
In this year’s Yankees spring training, which was held in Tampa, Florida on Thursday, pitchers and catchers were shown video footage of two Super Bowl post-game interviews: Russell Wilson and Cam Newton. The former is being used as a good example of media handling while Cam Newton is the bad example.
Yankees to players: Be more like Russell Wilson and less like Cam Newton https://t.co/5vDSHis8RK pic.twitter.com/2y1c8K6WLq
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 22, 2016
According to ESPN New York’s Andrew Marchand, “”During the Yankees’ media training, the Super Bowl is being used to portray the right and wrong way to act. Part of a video shown to pitchers and catchers compares how Cam Newton handled his Super Bowl loss to the way Russell Wilson dealt with his defeat the previous year.”
Wilson and the rest of the Seattle Seahawks lost a tight game to the New England Patriots last year in Super Bowl 49. During Seattle’s final play in the closing minutes of the game, Wilson threw a game-ending interception courtesy of Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, sealing New England’s 28-24 victory.
Despite the painful loss, Wilson faced the media and willingly entertained questions from reporters. He took full responsibility for their defeat and praised their opponents.
Russell Wilson Stayed All Throughout his Post-Game Interview
On the other hand, Cam Newton spent about three minutes in his post-game interview, giving one-liner answers and pouting, before abruptly walking out in the middle of a question.
Cam Newton Was Not Happy to be Interviewed
“I’ve been on record to say I’m a sore loser,” said Cam Newton the following day. “Who likes to lose? You show me a good loser and I’m going to show you a loser.”