If there’s one rock star in the 2011 NFL Draft, it’s Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.
Everyone assumed as much already, but his media session at the NFL Combine Saturday proved it.
The Heisman Trophy winner had an appearance like a rock star. He received a mike check. More flash bulbs popped. Reporter microphones were propped in the air like lighters in a love song. Newton was controlling the crowd like Mick Jagger. One reporter, perhaps facetiously, said he was going to ask for an autograph.
Cam Newton NFL Combine rock star
The controversial quarterback began his media session unlike any other with a prepared statement addressing how he referred to himself as an icon to Peter King of Sports Illustrated.
“First and foremost, I understand that my obligation is to be the best possible football player that I can be,” Newton said. “I know and believe that. The recent comments were made during the announcement of my new endorsement partnership. I was making the point that I want to be the best possible ambassador for them, just like I want to be the best possible ambassador for whatever team I’m lucky enough to play for.”
It was a fine enough sentiment. As was answering every question directly, unlike Ryan Mallett or Kenrick Ellis earlier in the day.
It’s easy to fall in love with Newton’s charisma, size and athletic ability. Because of those things, there are plenty of teams high in the draft that could be after Newton. He met with the Dallas Cowboys for 15 minutes Friday night. It’s all the same for Newton right now.
“Right now, I’m interested in every team in the NFL,” he said.
Still, Newton’s media session wasn’t flawless. When asked about his past legal troubles let lead to his departure from Florida, Newton talked around them.
“Everyone has a learning progression they go through,” Newton said. “For me, that happened three years ago. With the mistakes I made at Florida … made me the person I am today.
“What I did in the past is in the past. I’m not gonna entertain anything that happened in my past. I’m all about the future.”
For Newton, after a 13-minute media concert, that future is now. Now, it’s the NFL waiting for the rock star’s encore.
VIDEO: Cam Newton talks about how he's improving as a quarterback.
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