The Tennessee Titans weren't the only ones who took exception to Cam Newton's elaborate touchdown celebration Sunday.
Nashville's Rosemary Plorin, who attended the game with her 9-year-old daughter, penned an open letter to the Carolina Panthers quarterback criticizing his "chest puffs," "pelvic thrusts," "arrogant struts," and "in your face taunting" of Titans players and fans.
You can read the letter in its entirety on the Charlotte Observer's website, but here's a snippet:
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.
