Newton: I could've handled post-Super Bowl media better

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton didn't make many new fans by abruptly walking off the podium during his post-Super Bowl 50 media session following a series of abbreviated answers.

He didn't do himself any favors two days later when he doubled down on his actions, admitted he's a "sore loser," and that he had no plans to "bend for anybody's expectations."

Now that Newton has had a few months to gather himself after his disappointing Super Bowl performance, he believes he could have better handled his press conference.

"The truth is, I represent something way bigger than myself," Newton told Ebony the magazine, via ESPN. "I’m doing it for (my fans and family) and I felt like I let them down."

Newton explained he didn't have the time to process what happened between the game's end and his podium time. The NFL also didn't help matters by placing victorious Denver Bronco players' media sessions within earshot of the Panthers' podium.

"Who is anyone to tell me, ‘Man, it’s just an interview,'" Newton said. "You haven’t been in that situation. You didn’t have millions of people watching you. Your heart wasn’t pumping (with) the embarrassment or the anxiety of the stress of dealing with that type of game.

"I just wasn’t ready to talk. Was I mad? Hell, yeah! But there could have been a better way to control it, and that’s why I think having more time would have helped."