Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers are good for NFL

I'm not bothered by Cam Newton and his dancing, chest-bumping, celebrating Carolina Panthers, and that probably puts me in the minority.

Newton rubs some people the wrong way, and his Panthers showcase a new wave of football that bothers people for some silly reason. And we'll get the ultimate old vs. new with Newton and the Panthers facing off with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Certainly, the game's not Newton vs. Manning, but that's the story line we're going to be fed leading up the game.

Most fans are going to want Manning to win because they have had their fill of Newton, and outside of the stuff in his past at Florida and Auburn, I just don't understand it.

Yes, Newton dances and celebrates after big plays, and yes, he speaks his mind when asked questions in news conferences and doesn't give boring answers that are the norm from other players in the league.

Newton is fun, energetic and a breath of fresh air, and he's good for the league. He's not the same player he was at Florida or Auburn or even earlier in his NFL career when there were times he acted like a petulant child.

Newton's game was picked apart coming out of Auburn, and there was plenty of doubt that he would be a success in the NFL because he didn't play in a pro-style offense in college and was seen as a runner first and foremost. But he has worked on his skills, has learned to read defenses and has become a strong quarterback in the pocket to go along with his running talents and the rocket right arm he possesses.

Newton has grown as a player, and he has become the leader of the Panthers, who have a 17-1 record and have earned their trip to northern California for the Super Bowl with a dominant season. If you can't see how Newton has matured as a player the past few years, you're either not paying attention or just don't want to admit it.

He is the focal point of everything that takes place on the field for the Panthers, and the rest of the team takes its cue from Newton, who has thrived in that role and seems to enjoy the spotlight. That leads to a lot of fun for the team, and that bothers people because, you know, football is hard work and players aren't supposed to have fun.

But that's just wrong. Football certainly is hard work, so players should be able to enjoy and celebrate when things go well, and the Panthers certainly do that. But Newton and the Panthers also work hard and play hard and have the right to enjoy the fruits of that labor.

They're going to continue to do that no matter what people think, and that's a good thing for them and the league.

Contact Daniel Shirley at 744-4227 or dshirley@macon.com

This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers are good for NFL ."