The internet is all a flutter this morning with an open letter to Cam Newton written by a concerned mother (and Titans fan). You see, this mother brought her nine-year-old daughter to the Panthers-Titans game this weekend, and said daughter saw Cam Newton … dance. Ignoring the fact that a dancing millionaire is likely the least offensive thing you’ll ever see at a sporting event, let’s take a brief look at what she had to say:

“That game happened to be my nine year old daughter’s first live NFL experience. She was surprised to see so many Panthers’ fans sitting in our section of the stadium; that doesn’t happen much at fourth grade football games. And she was excited we were near the end zone, so we would be close to the “action,” particularly in the second half.

Because of where we sat, we had a close up view of your conduct in the fourth quarter. The chest puffs. The pelvic thrusts. The arrogant struts and the ‘in your face’ taunting of both the Titans’ players and fans. We saw it all.

I refuse to believe you don’t realize you are a role model. You are paid millions of dollars every week to play hard and be a leader. In the off season you’re expected to make appearances, support charities, and inspire young kids to pursue your sport and all sports. With everything the NFL has gone through in recent years, I’m confident they have advised that you are, by virtue of your position and career choice, a role model.

And because you are a role model, your behavior brought out like behavior in the stands. Some of the Panthers fans in our section began taunting the hometown fans. Many Titans fans booed you, a few offering instructive, but not necessarily family friendly, suggestions as to how you might change your behavior.

My daughter sensed the change immediately – and started asking questions. Won’t he get in trouble for doing that? Is he trying to make people mad? Do you think he knows he looks like a spoiled brat?

I didn’t have great answers for her, and honestly, in an effort to minimize your negative impact and what was otherwise a really fun day, I redirected her attention to the cheerleaders and mascot.”

Let’s start at the end: You didn’t know how to explain a happy millionaire dancing, so you pointed your daughter towards the barely-clothed, underpaid women gyrating in the general direction of the men in your section? Nice work. And some Titans fans offered “instructive, but not necessarily family friendly, suggestions as to how you might change your behavior”? Well, that’s definitely Cam’s fault, sure. Also, I’ve watched the dance. There were no pelvic thrusts. And “with everything the NFL has gone through in recent years, I’m confident they have advised that you are, by virtue of your position and career choice, a role model”? I really hope you’re teaching your daughter the difference between people like Greg Hardy and people like Cam Newton. But since you didn’t know how to address this with your child, Reverend Moore, allow me to.

Hi,

How are you? Your mom is quite the bummer, huh? It’s okay. It’ll get better. Firstly, it was very nice of her to bring you to a football game, especially with such good seats. Make sure you thank her, and then follow that thanks up with a quick “what did you expect?” Explain to her that sports are passionate, and when someone does something that is joyous, that’s just an extension of that passion. Was Cam’s dance a bit much? Sure. Was it unacceptable and warranting an open letter? Hell no.

Here’s some background on Cam Newton. He had some issues in college (some self-induced) that led to him transferring schools. I can tell you by his skills and record that he, without really having to do much research, has worked incredibly hard for a very, very long time to be where he is today. Once seen as lazy and immature, Newton has turned it around (in that we don’t really hear any negative off-the-field stuff about him) and is putting together a really great year for his team. To expect someone like Newton – whose entire life is football and trying to be the best at it – to not enjoy playing it and being good at it is silly and completely devoid of emotion.

If you play some sports, enjoy them. If you play football and you score a touchdown, spike that ball into the ground. If you play softball and hit a long home run, watch that shit a bit. You’re going to walk away with a participation trophy, so enjoy your achievements on the inside if they aren’t going to be shown on the base of the trophy.

I hope you work hard, I hope you have a great work ethic, and I hope one day you’re doing the best you can do at whatever job you end up doing. And I hope when that happens, and you do something really great at work that helps out not only you, but those around you, and flies in the face of those who have doubted you, you feel free to celebrate that. Because you’ve earned it, and a little passion and excitement never hurt anyone, except your mom’s feelings.

You’ll learn down the line that people like your mom just cannot ever be pleased. That may push you harder. But even if it doesn’t, when you do something great, enjoy it, because you deserve to.

Sincerely,

A lazy blogger.

UPDATE: Cam Newton, not a role model.