http://m.detnews.com/sports/article?a=2014309110104&f=1209
If Cam Newton were white, he'd have to apologize to Ndamukong Suh
Terry Foster
September 11, 2014
Cam Newton is in his fourth season in the NFL. - Brian Blanco / Associated Press
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton not only owes Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh an apology, but he needs realize that his attempt at a joke Wednesday crossed the line. If he were a white guy, he'd already be at the podium apologizing.
Newton was being a clown when he answered every question the same way no matter what was asked.
"My main focus now is focusing on the Detroit Lions. I think I got my hands full trying to find ways to stay protected from Donkey Kong Suh and my fellow Auburn teammate Nick Fairley."
Donkey Kong is a cartoon gorilla in a video game. Black people get angry when you refer to them as monkeys or gorillas. Newton, who is black, probably didn't even realize he was making racially-charged comments.
It was Newton's failed attempt to mock Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, who responded to every question with the same answer a few weeks ago: "I'm just out here trying to be the best teammate I can be and I'm gonna' work hard at doing that."
Perhaps it was an attempt to get under Suh's skin before the Lions travel to Charlotte to play the Panthers Sunday.
Now you still might be shaking your head, wondering, "What's the big deal?"
Well, let's say Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers called Suh "Donkey Kong." Now you have a white guy calling a black guy a gorilla. And now you have a national uproar, and Rodgers would be forced to hold a press conference to apologize to Suh and all black people in America.
Let me be clear here. I am not an advocate of people losing jobs for stupid comments. I am an advocate of apologies and rehabilitation. I am an advocate of fairness.
Newton, even though he is black, should apologize. What's fair is fair.
We need to stop the double standard. If a white guy must apologize for racist comments, even if he meant no harm, then a black athlete must do the same.
I don't believe Newton meant any harm. He spoke out of ignorance and did not really think about what he was saying. Still, he needs to come clean and admit he was wrong.
This is a new age. We can't say the same things today that we could 10 years ago. You have coaches under fire for gay slurs, in the very same dressing rooms where gay slurs used to result in loud laughter, not heavy fines.
The NFL says players can no longer use the N-word on the football field, in a league where that word has been thrown around like quarters in a tip jar. Heck, that word is still used.
If Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford made gorilla references to Suh it would not be right.
The same standard should apply to Cam Newton.