Debate Over Cam’s Celebrations May Be Dumbest Super Bowl Storyline Ever

The long build up to the Super Bowl brings with it a whole host of in-game storylines. Some are intriguing, some are fodder and some are downright boring, but none may be more groan inducing than the national furore surrounding Panthers’ quarterback – and now NFL MVP – Cam Newton and his propensity for celebrating on the field.

The debate over how much fun is too much fun began earlier this season, when a prissy Tennessee mother wrote Newton an open letter, disparaging the “chest puffs, pelvic thrusts and the ‘in your face’ taunting of players and fans” after Cam scored a touchdown against her beloved Titans and dared to celebrate with a dance afterwards.

From there, the unsuppressed rage from the hater brigade has grown so large that now the dissenters may outweigh the complainants. During Super Bowl week, Defensive Player of the Year, J.J. Watt, demanded that people get off Cam’s back and let him celebrate as he sees fit. Apparently dabbin’ and supermanning is ok with Watt even though selfies are off-limits, but that’s a farce for another day.

Cam’s opponent, legendary quarterback and incumbent retiree Peyton Manning jested that he would celebrate egregiously too…if only he could score rushing touchdowns. Even Elmo Wright – father of the post-score dance – granted Newton the right to party, for which he has fought so hard.

To play devil’s advocate, some criticize Newton’s celebrations for a couple of valid reasons.

Some claim that his team’s showboating isn’t in the spirit of the game. Well, neither is being down by 31 at the two-minute warning. If your team is walking off the field after a performance like that and the scene you’re most disgusted by is the Panthers taking a team photo on the sidelines, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your fandom. In an era where trash talking and dirty hits remain commonplace, team unity doesn’t exactly scream poor sportsmanship.

Others feel that Cam’s elaborate routines take away from his teammates, especially when he isn’t the one who scored. Welcome to 2016, where if you’re not offended by something, don’t worry, someone else will be offended for you. It’s doubtful that any of Carolina’s players feel like they’re having their spotlight stolen. Chances are they’ll take the touchdown every time.

Frankly, a large chunk of Cam’s detractors are simply taking the opportunity to label him and his team “thugs,” often in place of a far nastier racial slur. The idea that the modern fan would still take umbrage over a black quarterback today is equal parts laughable and embarrassing.

During the playoffs, Cam told the media that his skin color still “scares a lot of people.” He then went on to amend those comments – saying he meant that the league had never seen someone with his skill set before – but maybe he shouldn’t have. As for the non-closeted racists that still have a problem with Cam: if you don’t like it, stop him.