If Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera defended Cam Newton's actions in a postgame Super Bowl news conference to try to get a rule changed, then his opinion should be respected, even if invites disagreement.
If Rivera was trying only to protect Newton, then his actions should be condemned as harshly as Newton's were after the big game.
Cam Newton Needs Lesson In Acting Like Sore Loser From Tom Brady
Rivera said losing players from the Super Bowl shouldn't have to conduct interviews after the biggest defeat of their careers, according to ESPN.
The raw emotion stemming from that defeat makes it "tremendously unfair" for the poor players to have to answer questions from the media. He suggested that only the head coach be obligated to wade through the daggers of the media.
Cam Newton's Post-Super Bowl News Conference Should've Surprised No One
"If not, that's what you're going to get," Rivera said, referring to Newton's infamous postgame news conference. "You're going to get guys that come across in certain ways. And that's unfortunate."
What's unfortunate is that many of these professional athletes -- coddled and pampered at early ages -- being excused from having to talk about losing a game.
With apologies to Allen Iverson, we're talking about a game. Not real life. Not real life. A game.
Once Newton had a couple of days to simmer down, he had a perfectly good explanation for his behavior: He's a sore loser.
"Believe me, I'm not going to apologize for him and I don't expect him to apologize,'' Rivera said. "He's stood up. He's told everybody, 'Hey, I'm a poor sport. I know it. I wish I wasn't, but I am.'
"I appreciate that. I really do. He's honest, at least.''
Newton should not be commended for saying he's a poor sport.
Storming out of a press conference because you're angry is what kids do. Not adults. If Newton wishes he wasn't a poor sport, here's a thought. Don't be. Newton's behavior is perfectly within his own control.
He chooses to be a poor sport. Most likely because his athletic skills have allowed him to act in such a manner without being reprimanded by anyone relying on that athletic skill.
Besides, Newton doesn't have any problems talking after his team wins. He can't have it both ways.
Most of us non-professional athletes are taught at a young age that we should be good winners or losers when we compete athletically. Little Billy isn't excused from sportsmanship if he's good in math.
Little Cammie shouldn't be excused from sportsmanship because he can heave an oblong ball 70 yards down a grassy field.
Rivera's argument that the winning and losing teams be separated from postgame interviews has merit, even if it makes it harder for reporters to talk to the players they want.
But the postgame interview rules should not be changed. If I'm buying Dannon Greek yogurt based on a Cam Netwon commercial, watching him act like a spoiled child after a loss might change my mind.
And if Rivera proposed the rule change purely to protect his quarterback, then he should be criticized every bit as much as Newton was for his post-Super Bowl antics.
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