Cam Newton: 'I'm an African-American QB that might scare some people'

Cam Newton is who he is and you can just deal with it.

"I'm an African-American QB that might scare some people because my skill set isn't like anybody else," Newton told reporters Wednesday.

Newton said he doesn't lose sleep over the criticism he's faced this season because he doesn't allow himself to judge others.

"Why should I worry what people say about me when we've got a guy with a broken arm (Thomas Davis) who's trying to do anything to be able to play?" Newton asked rhetorically.

Criticism of Newton's actions on the field - many call them unbridled joy, but some call them self-serving antics - has followed Newton all season, including multiple letters to the editor.

Often, the criticism of Newton's exuberant celebrations has bordered on racism.

"Truth is whether you win lose or draw, people are going to talk. True fans ... they know what's up," Newton said.

Newton may be done dancing around the issue of how he's perceived by a vocal minority of football fans, but he isn't done dancing.

Instead, he'll plow ahead with a chance at football immortality on the line (no quarterback has ever won the Heisman Trophy, a national championship, the NFL MVP award, and a Super Bowl; Newton can complete the quartet of accomplishments on Feb. 7). He'll be celebrating every success along the way.