Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon spoke with USA Today and delivered himself a pat on the back for predicting the success of Carolina Panthers rookie Cam Newton. Moon believed that Newton was destined to be a NFL star and his prediction is looking good two weeks into Newton’s career. Newton has passed for over 400 yards in his first two regular season NFL starts, which is second in the league behind only Tom Brady
Moon didn’t waste any time congratulating Newton on his early career success:
“I feel proud of what he’s doing and I don’t have one of those, ‘I-told-you-so-type attitudes,’ but I do know a little bit about that position and when you’re around somebody who’s special,” Moon said. “But he’s a special player. It’s no joke why he’s been so successful at every level.
“I’m not getting anybody calling, saying, ‘I’m sorry I was wrong about him.’ But I am getting a lot of calls from people that are saying, ‘I understand what you were talking about now. And I see it.’
“Some of the criticism was racial,” Moon said. “I started to feel the same way I felt back in 1978 coming out of college when guys were saying I was too small and my arm wasn’t strong enough. Some of the same type of blind criticism was being laid on Cam.”
Moon does deserve to be recognized for his strong position on Newton before the former Auburn Tiger made his NFL debut. He should, however, leave race out of the picture. Whether or not people didn’t think Newton would succeed because he was is beyond the point. His attitude and immaturity was the big reason his next level success is doubted. Whatever the reason, Cam has proven early that he can play. Let’s see if he can continue the hot streak.
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