The modern prometheus

Cam Newton has rocked-up to the combine this week and made two statements which have got the American media in a tiz. Those statements being that he did more in one college year than others do in an entire four year career, and possibly the more controversial statement that he sees himself as an ‘entertainer and icon’. All this was said at a media event which is one of many that are part of the razzmatazz of the combine.

So the media that televises live college games, follows kids careers through high school, and makes these youngsters household names before they even turn professional now wants to debate if Cam Newton has gone a step too far. Like Mary Shelley’s Victor Frankenstein, the sports media (or maybe the culture that creates the demand) need to take some ownership for the monsters they create.

Cam Newton is 21 years-old and has been shepherded in to the limelight since his impressive stats began to get noticed at Westlake High School, Georgia, at the age of sixteen. The number of accolades that were then bestowed on this impressive QB during his time leading the Auburn Tigers are ten fold. As well as the coveted Heisman Trophy, Newton won another five player accolades for his performance last season. Everywhere he turned, somebody was telling him how good he was.

Tyler Hansbrough is playing his first year in the NBA this season with the Indiana Pacers. But Hansbrough made the decision that he wanted to stay in college basketball for longer, when he initally had the opportunity to play in the pro leagues. Many have discussed that several factors were behind this decision, but Hansbrough did seem to shift the limelight off himself by delaying his move for another year. However, a great demonstration of how these players’ egos can get uncontrollable if they want to let them is what happened at Hansbrough’s college (North Carolina) in February last year. After a game between Duke and North Carolina the forward’s jersey (no.50) was retired by the college. A legend was made before he got to the NBA.

The former Tar Heel is getting on with playing ball and posted good numbers in a narrow win for the Pacers last night. Maybe Hansbrough is better equipped, or maybe he has better support around him, but he seems to have coped well with the high profile the American media have bestowed upon him.

But beating up on Newton should be done with a little pinch of salt, and an awareness of where his head is at. And if he says the odd stupid thing, then he should be cut some slack. Cam Newton will find out soon enough that he won’t get away with being the big I am in any NFL dressing room. But he will also find in his locker room some supportive voices who have been there and done that. Guys who know that the place to be the big man is on the field, and that off it, pride comes before a fall.