Sports of The Times
By MICHAEL POWELL
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — There was no humiliation to be found in Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton’s performance on the field at the Super Bowl. The Denver Broncos defenders charged like banshees and werewolves, coming over and under and hurtling around the Panthers defense.
The young quarterback was sacked six times, fumbled when the man-mountain known as Von Miller tossed him to the turf. Some brilliant javelin throws to the side, Newton had a less than stellar night.
His humiliation came after the game, however, and it was self-imposed.
Newton, 26, an ebullient, intelligent, gifted quarterback, decided to act in his moment of truth like a 13-year-old. He slouched into the interview room late, well after a number of his teammates, rookies and veterans alike, had gamely answered one painful question after another.