Cam Newton says criticism of him is ‘not racism’

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Cam Newton may be a lightening rod in the game of football– but he doesn’t think the criticism that has been levied against him is about race.

“It’s not racism,” Newton explains in a new GQ interview. “Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion.”

Newton has been ripped apart by fans for everything from his dance moves to having a child out of wedlock with his girlfriend.  When GQ writer Zach Baron tried to get Newton to elaborate, pointing out that he has faced a wave of judgment for his confidence and conduct, both on and off the field, Newton dismissed it.

–#BlackExcellence: Why Cam Newton’s critics can’t keep him from shining

“I’ll let you be the judge,” Newton replied. “I don’t look at it like that. I look at it like some people have certain beliefs and I have my own belief, and we can agree to disagree on certain things. But this is what makes sports so amazing, that we can start a discussion around a table, in the newspaper, in the magazines, that will get people’s attention. And that’s what sports does.”

“I don’t want this to be about race, because it’s not,” says Newton. “It’s not. Like, we’re beyond that. As a nation.”

It’s an interesting response, considering Newton gave an interview before Super Bowl 50 in which he stated, “I’m an African-American quarterback. That may scare a lot of people.”

–Cam Newton and girlfriend welcome baby boy

Other parts of the GQ profile address Newton’s love for fashion and the impact of fatherhood on his life.  Newton’s son, Chosen, has helped him tune out many of his critics.

“I could care less. You know, what a person says to me, says about me—if it’s not coming out of Chosen’s mouth,” says Newton.

“Whether a mean tweet, a mean [person] saying, ‘Hey, you’re supposed to do it like this’—if my son ain’t saying it, then it don’t matter to me.”

The 27-year-old quarterback also said studying sociology has helped him maintain an open attitude towards different kinds of people.

–A Tennessee mother rips Cam Newton’s dancing in insane open letter

“I don’t look at things through color lenses,” says Newton”I don’t look at things through genetic images or whatever. Their sex. I just love the different type of vibes people bring. I try to alleviate any type of bad energy. But I could care less. I love a person because of who they are. And that’s who I am.”