ESPN article re: Cam's lack of RTP calls with comps (must read)

[Mr. Scot]

I remember hearing a long time Major league Baseball umpire talking about his career after he retired. 

When asked about players he disliked, he mentioned absolutely hating Larry Bowa (apparently not an unusual feeling, from what I've read).  He went on to tell a story about how there was a play where a guy slid into base and kicked up a bunch of dust, so much so in fact that he couldn't even see what had actually happened. 

Then he found out that the player in question was Bowa.

He called him out.

Now this guy was being interviewed because he was a longtime, well-respected official, but even he admitted that his opinion of a player influenced him on a play call.  And frankly, I doubt that was the only time.

I also doubt that the NFL is immune from their officials doing the same thing.

 

[Chaos]

Did. Not. Read. (the comments)

Great article though, with facts. Choke on it haters.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[PhillyB]

1 hour ago, Shufdog said:

60 to 70% of the league is black, but Cam getting picked on is because he's black? Do you really not see how stupid that argument is? 

quarterback has been a traditionally white position and black QBs have traditionally drawn an insane amount of ire. they have to be perfect, they have to be deferential, they can't slip up or they'll be drawn and quartered for it. it's not that bad now but it's interesting to see how the well-liked black QBs now are invariably the soft, quiet, "well spoken" (aka doesn't speak african-american english) black men that don't curdle white peoples' milk.

it's a legitimate argument to make.

[Silent Majority]

2 hours ago, OneBadCat said:

Anyone catch Matt Hasslebeck being a dickhead yesterday?

The seething hatred was fuging disturbing. 

[Growl]

Was it Tim or Matt Hasselbeck?

 

Because I saw Tim bring a yutz all day but never saw Matt

[Shufdog]

44 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

quarterback has been a traditionally white position and black QBs have traditionally drawn an insane amount of ire. they have to be perfect, they have to be deferential, they can't slip up or they'll be drawn and quartered for it. it's not that bad now but it's interesting to see how the well-liked black QBs now are invariably the soft, quiet, "well spoken" (aka doesn't speak african-american english) black men that don't curdle white peoples' milk.

it's a legitimate argument to make.

You can make anything up to look like a legitimate argument in ones on eyes.

[PhillyB]

Just now, Shufdog said:

You can make anything up to look like a legitimate argument in ones on eyes.

excellent counterpoint, i concede 

[Nick_81]

59 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

quarterback has been a traditionally white position and black QBs have traditionally drawn an insane amount of ire. they have to be perfect, they have to be deferential, they can't slip up or they'll be drawn and quartered for it. it's not that bad now but it's interesting to see how the well-liked black QBs now are invariably the soft, quiet, "well spoken" (aka doesn't speak african-american english) black men that don't curdle white peoples' milk.

it's a legitimate argument to make.

Exactly.  It's 99% the position he plays, as a black person, not solely because he's black.  If he played, pretty much any other position, this wouldn't even be brought up.  It is a non-issue/story for black WR's, RB's, TE's, etc. to act the exact same way that Cam does.

[TheRed]

20 minutes ago, Shufdog said:

You can make anything up to look like a legitimate argument in ones on eyes.

Just bow out of this one chief. You're looking pretty bad.

[Daddy_Uncle]

3 hours ago, rippadonn said:

Historically the Panthers never got the calls they should. The NFL does play favorites.

Having a player as high profile as Cam finally brings to light the bias against certain teams and the coddling of certain players.

 

which is strange because JR and the commish/league are bffs

[TheRed]

If I'm being brutally upfront here. Many many of the average NFL fans want black quarterbacks to be as white as possible so they can identity with them more.

That's why you see so many comments from the run of the mill boring white dudes on Facebook saying things like "I just don't like him", or even from our own fans like "why can't he just be more like Jake Delhomme".

You would be a fool to think this sort of mindset doesn't bleed into referees too. It isn't a racist white hood wearing card carrying klan member mentality either. It's stereotyping.

[Nick_81]

1 minute ago, TheRed said:

If I'm being brutally upfront here. Many many of the average NFL fans want black quarterbacks to be as white as possible so they can identity with them more.

That's why you see so many comments from the run of the mill boring white dudes on Facebook saying things like "I just don't like him", or even from our own fans like "why can't he just be more like Jake Delhomme".

You would be a fool to think this sort of mindset doesn't bleed into referees too. It isn't a racist white hood wearing card carrying klan member mentality either. It's stereotyping.

I can't even count the number of people, here in the Carolina's, that look at me like a confused puppy when they find out how hardcore of a Panthers fan I am.  I usually get statements like, "I just can't get on board until they get rid of Cam."  Of course, I always have to ask why the hell they would want to get rid of the best quarterback to ever put on a Panthers' uniform, who's also one of the best in the entire league?  "I can't stand him," or "he shouldn't do all that dancing/showing off," etc.

Try this one out sometime.  During most conversations going this way, I sneak Steve Smith into the conversation.  Real subtle like, "you probably liked the Delhomme/Smith connection right?"  They almost always say how much they love Smitty.  Then you get to nail them to the wall.  One of the cockiest, celebratory, in-your-face, players of all-time, and you have a fuging problem with Cam?  FOH.....

[d-dave]

It's really mind boggling as to why Cam is getting different treatment.  While the league will circle the wagons on the issue "we're human/we'll take a look," it's difficult to see them change things.

The talking heads have been talking about the ratings slump the NFL has had this season.  I think it's pretty obvious why:  they are taking the fun out of the game.  Celebrations are being eliminated, ref calls are getting worse, and the celebrated personalities are losing their lustre.

If the NFL wants to keep getting golden eggs out of the old goose, they need to protect one of their most fun assets: Cam Newton.  Sure, we're biased as Panther fans, but at the end of the day, he's one of their most marketable stars.  From a business sense, they need to ensure that Cam is happy with fair calls.  Once he get's a in a happy grove, it only helps their ratings.

(Totally homer-ific)

[pantherj]

I watch every Panthers game like a hawk, and we've been getting jobbed by the refs for as long as I can remember. There honestly needs to be an investigation. The only reason alarm bells are going off now and things are looking fishy is because Cam had the courage to call out the refs. Now everyone is starting to recognize what the refs have been up to for years with us.