Great (Behavioral) Expectations: Cam Newton can sulk if he wants

The Carolina Panthers' offense, an operation headlined by former Auburn star Cam Newton, had a bad night Sunday.

A really bad night.

The Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 primarily because their defense, loaded with top-caliber pass rushers, frequently sacked, annoyed and frustrated Newton from start to finish. The NFL's Most Valuable Player completed 18 of his 41 throws, a low number by his standards, and simply wasn't able to affect the game in his customary manner.

Newton was upset afterward. Of course he was upset. Losing 24-10 in the biggest game of his life provides ample justification for an ill mood. Newton doesn't lose very often. He never lost at Auburn, of course, and his ascension toward the top of the NFL has yielded a bunch of wins along the way.

So when Newton reluctantly lumbered into the post-game press conference Sunday night with an untoward attitude, well, that seemed justified. At least to me.

Was it Newton's finest hour? No, it wasn't. He is the league's MVP. He is the face of the Carolina Panthers. His ebullience, his smile, his insistence on doling out footballs to children after he scores touchdowns has made Newton an international superstar.

This is an opportunity for Newton to set an example. And he blew it.

Or did he?

Newton is an emotional person. He's always been an emotional person and his hot-bloodedness is a big part of what makes Newton such a damn good football player. Sure, he's a gifted athlete with a strong arm and big body and a lot of speed. He's the most talented player on the field almost every time out. Yet Newton becomes the best player on the field almost every time out because of that passion. His extreme distaste for losing, which is stronger than his appetite for winning, keeps those fires stoked. All day. Everyday.

That distaste was written all over Newton's face after the game. However, it's worth noting that Newton quickly walked over to Denver quarterback Peyton Manning, a fantastic quarterback going out in the most fantastic way possible, to offer congratulations soon after the game ended. Newton has been effusive with his praise for Manning and his excellent career, even calling him "The Sheriff" a few weeks back.

Newton nonetheless walked into the post-game press conference Sunday night and was unpleasant -- at least by his standards. The smile was gone, replaced by a frown and a far-off look. He was asked 13 questions. Newton answered 11 of them. Most of his answers were one word or, at most, one short sentence.

The 13th question wasn't really a question. It was more of a declaration: "I know you're disappointed not just for yourself, but for your teammates. It's got to be real tough."

It's the kind of thing reporters say to an aggrieved subject. You acknowledge the difficulty of the situation and hope that concession prompts the subject to expound. It often works, but this wasn't one of those times.

"I'm done, man," Newton said.

Then he stood up and walked out. He had nothing more to say.

The headlines were predictable in their sensationalism:

• Cam Newton storms out of his Super Bowl press conference (Fox Sports)

• WATCH: Panthers' Cam Newton refuses to answer questions, storms out after Super Bowl loss to Broncos (NJ.com)

• Cam Newton refuses to answer questions, storms out of Super Bowl press conference (Fox 8 Cleveland)

Still, nothing can top Deion Sanders slamming Newton for his disappointment-shortened press conference. Deion Sanders? He was the Newton of his day -- fantastically talented, a winner, a showman, a highly emotional and complicated person who, by the way, never was known for exhibiting gracious behavior.

Newton wears his heart on his sleeve. We know this. He's been this guy all along. The mischievous smile that we saw along the Panthers' sideline all season? That's Newton being himself. The Superman business? That's Newton being himself. The move to give away his football after scoring a touchdown? That's Newton. The sulky behavior we saw last night after the Super Bowl? Yep. That's all Cam Newton, too.

Although Sanders is the most duplicitous character in this melodrama, he did make a interesting observation: "A Manning, a Brady ... all these guys who are a prototypical type of quarterback in our game, they're not going to do that ever. Would Drew Brees ever?"

Why should we care?

Newton isn't those guys. He's not Manning and he's not Brady and he's not Brees. He doesn't think like them. He doesn't play like them. So why, then, are we expecting Newton to behave like them? Why must quarterbacks be formed from the same cookie cutter?

They don't. Newton has demonstrated that quite clearly this season. He doesn't have to conform to the norm to be the NFL's most valuable player. He can play and think and behave in ways that are faithful to his personality.

Newton wasn't disrespectful last night; he was distraught. And he was done.

Could Newton have been more gracious and accommodating after the game? Absolutely. I suspect he'll act differently the next time he's in a situation like that because he's not in the business of letting people down. The Panthers would have preferred a different look there.

Still, this isn't the time for Newton to get away from himself. He's a superstar because of the emotion. It's what separates him from the dozens of other outstanding athletes who play in the NFL.

This is Cam Newton.