Imrem: Like him or not, Cam Newton a star
Now that the furor over Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has quieted a bit - just a bit - it's time to ponder Bears fans' priorities.
A good guess is that they would cheer Newton as loudly if he were with the Bears as Bulls fans did Dennis Rodman.
Yes, Chicago Bears fans would even after Newton's controversial Super Bowl 50.
The actor Jeff Daniels told a story on CBS' "Sunday Morning" that was perfect for Super Sunday.
Daniels said that years ago Broadway legend Tommy Tune told him, "I know you can act in it; I need you to star in it."
That could have been the Panthers talking to and about Newton. They knew he could play in the Super Bowl; they needed him to star in it.
How must the Panthers - and Tommy Tune - feel considering that Newton looked more like Jay Cutler on one of the Bears QB's worst days?
Newton lost the Super Bowl to the Broncos, failed to elevate his team like a league MVP should, and at the most inopportune time declined to dive for a loose ball because he might have injured his leg.
Oh, then Newton behaved like a petulant pitooey before cutting short his postgame media session.
"Who are you to say your way is right?" a defiant Newton said Tuesday to his critics. "I've been on record as saying I'm a poor loser. It's not a popularity contest. I'm here to win football games."
Wait, maybe Tommy Tune wouldn't have been disappointed after all: That the Newton conversation persisted long after the Super Bowl speaks to his stardom.
Newton conducted himself like many show-business superstars, the ones who act like immature children who should perform on playgrounds instead of world stages.
Like a rock star demanding that his dressing room be stocked with juice squeezed from rhinoceros hides, Newton plays the part of a wealthy, privileged, spoiled villain.
The subject of Newton has dominated this week even though Peyton Manning has been one of the NFL's biggest stars for 18 years and won Super Bowl 50 in what might have been his final game.
To image makers, what you did and what they say about you and how they spell your name is of little concern.
What matters is that you're being talked about: Stars are born and stars are scorned.
Newton attained stardom this season by playing great, by showing off, by being mercurial and by emotionally having higher highs and lower lows than most players.
The Panthers' quarterback smiles a big smile. He dances something called the Dab in the end zone. He makes comments about race. He hands footballs to kids after scoring. He wears flashy pants to kick off Super Bowl week. He is moody in news conferences.
Many fans are offended that someone like Newton just might be the most compelling personality to play his position since Joe Namath.
Newton said Tuesday sounding a lot like the irascible Jim McMahon, "I don't have to conform to (what others want) me to do. I'm not that guy."
One way to become a star is to make everyone like you. Another is to be polarizing, a path Newton is going down with scores of both supporters and detractors.
"Some say, 'Cam is cool,' " Newton noted last week. "Others say, 'I hate Cam.' "
Except in the Carolinas, where just about everyone is pro-Cam … just as fans here would be here if Newton played for the Bears.
Tommy Tune likely would call someone like that a star.
mimrem@dailyherald.com