Instead of criticizing Cam Newton for his press conference like most people have done since the Super Bowl, Archie Manning came to his defense.
Archie, Peyton Manning’s father, told reporters that he understands how difficult it is for the losing quarterback in a game of such magnitude to not come across as a sore loser.
Per the Charlotte Observer:
“It’s really hard, really, really hard,” he said. “I like Cam. I’m not going to blast Cam. As a parent you say, ‘I wish he’d have handled it a little different.’ But it hurts.”
Archie also compared Newton’s postgame press conference to Peyton’s actions after losing Super Bowl XLIV to the Saints. Manning was criticized for immediately leaving the field after the loss and not shaking hands with any Saints players.
“He did catch flak about it,” Archie said. “I don’t think until that game I ever had enough sympathy for the losing team in a Super Bowl. You’re really probably the second-best team out of 32 that year, but you come away from that game and feel like you’re 32nd instead of second.
“I can remember that. I remember how hurt (Peyton) was.”
Newton later admitted he acted like a sore loser, but was unapologetic saying, “Show me a good loser, and I’ll show you a loser.”
