Cam Newton responds to contract critics: 'This is not about money'
When Cam Newton signed with New England, the football world gasped at the upside of the extension of the Patriots dynasty sans Tom Brady.
Then we found out how much — or how little — he signed for. And there were critics. Richard Sherman blasted the deal for the former MVP that will pay him the league minimum as “ridiculous.”
When word came Thursday that only $550,000 of the $1.05 million base salary Newton signed for is guaranteed, the volume amplified. And Newton had heard enough.
He took to social media on Thursday to defend his contract, which he says is not about the money.
‘This is not about money for me’
If you’re struggling to decipher Cam font, here’s a translation:
“It’s not a lot of things money cannot buy, but amongst the top of that list of things you would find respect as one of those!! This is not about money for me; it’s about respect.”
Some might argue that in the world of big-dollar contracts, money equals respect. That entails talking about somebody else’s money. And ultimately, if Cam is happy with his lot with the Patriots, then so be it.
That doesn’t make the criticism of Newton’s deal that pays him less than a lot of rookies on structured deals invalid. Eyebrows were appropriately raised upon reports that the 31-year-old, three-time Pro Bowler and 2015 league MVP would need to hit incentives just to get to $7.5 million.
Again, this is Newton’s money. And if he’s happy to get a shot with the Patriots at a discount after making more than $120 million with the Carolina Panthers, then good for him.
Disrespect in Charlotte?
Newton was likely feeling disrespected when the franchise that drafted him No. 1 overall released him in March. That the Panthers waited until much of the market had dried up more than a week into free agency couldn’t have helped.
In the end, the Patriots didn’t show him the money. But they clearly showed him something else that had been missing.
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