Cam Newton has been in the news again this week for his “showboating” behaviors. He likes to indicate “first down,” when they are made, and has a variety of other “moves” when touchdowns and big plays are made. Is this just youthful exuberance? Or is it just classless showboating? Cam’s defenders will talk about how he works in the community or seeks out a young kid to give the ball to after each touchdown, and so on. What do you think?
The Code says, “I will respect… every human being…and will not be abusive or dehumanizing of another.” Does this apply here? Our opinion is that Cam doesn’t mean to offend – he doesn’t mean to hurt others, he is just having fun. But when one person’s fun makes another person hurt or angry, it’s no longer fun. It is abusive. There is a difference between good-natured fun, teasing, and the line that is crossed when that is not the experience of the other. Cam would do well to learn that – indicating a first down is fun to him, but surely he does not like it when he is sacked and has to watch an opposing lineman demonstrate all his macho prowess over him. There’s nothing noble about any of it, which is why you won’t see Russell Wilson, Peyton Manning, or Tom Brady – to name just three – doing any of it.
