Fansided

25 athletes everyone hates (unless they’re on your team)

By Jeremy Lambert

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 3: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stays loose on the sideline during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 3, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 3: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stays loose on the sideline during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 3, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Cam Newton
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Cam Newton

Full disclosure, I am a Carolina Panthers fan. I understand some of the hate he gets, but am baffled by the majority of it.

Cam Newton gets hated because he likes to smile and dance when things are going well and pout when things are going poorly. He’s gotten better about the pouting part over the years, but his reaction to losing Super Bowl 50 will forever be held against him.

Make no mistake, Newton does himself few favors. The “it’s funny to hear a female talk about routes” comment made him a target for rightful criticism. His lame apology that followed wasn’t any better. Computer theft in college is held against him as well.

His dancing and over-celebrating can be annoying if you’re an opponent or fan of the opponent, but is that any worse than anyone else celebrating after a big game? Defensive ends have to do their taunt after a sack, even if they are down 21. And Newton has to do his Superman taunt despite being down two touchdowns after throwing three interceptions. Is that really so bad?

It’s possible that I’m the blind fan who can’t understand why someone hates a player on my team. That’s why I’m writing this article, right. It’s about players who you would hate if they weren’t on your team. Maybe I would hate Newton if he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Maybe I would take offense to the dab if he just scrambled out of trouble for a big gain on third down. Maybe I’d be overjoyed at seeing him struggle.

But I’m a Panthers fan. And Cam Newton is my quarterback.

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