Those who follow football most likely know of the Carolina Panthers’ quarterback, Cam Newton. He is arguably one of the most controversial Super Bowl players from this weekend’s championship game, and due to the number of personal gains Newton has had during the past, many fans and athletes have voiced their differing opinions on whether he is simply confident, or whether he is way too cocky.

To be cocky is to be conceited or arrogant, especially in a bold or impudent way. Newton is in no way disrespectful or rude in the way he celebrates. I see Newton as an individual who is confident and proud of himself as an athlete. Being named MVP, as well as being the only player in the modern era to win the Heisman Trophy within a year, he deserves to be as confident as he wants.

From his dance moves on the field know as “The Dab,” to giving touchdown balls to kids during games, Newton continues to keep the crowd entertained. Not only does Newton shine on the field, but he also proves his generosity through philanthropic work. According to Rotoworld, he has a charitable foundation – Cam Newton Foundation – to help disadvantaged youth. He makes special appearances to talk to kids. Take, for example, a December 2015 visit to a Dick’s Sporting Goods. Additionally, he didn’t attend his college graduation from Auburn University, so his celebrity wouldn’t take away from other graduates, according to Rotoworld.

In previous post-game conferences, Newton has endured harsh comments regarding his celebration. “If you don’t want me to do it, then don’t let me in,” Newton said, via Terry McCormick of Titans Insider. “I just like doing it. It’s not to be boastful. From the crowd’s response, they like seeing it. … No disrespect to anybody, it’s just a Panthers thing.” Newton makes a point here. If the opposing team doesn’t like his celebration dance, then simply dont let him in the endzone. It’s that simple. When an athlete continues to succeed and has incredible statistics like Newton does, he has the right to celebrate, and should be able to do whatever he wants to celebrate as long as he does not offend anyone else, which he does not.

Many Homestead students agree that Newton has the right to be confident, and his boldness should not be considered cockiness. “I think Cam is more confident than he is cocky. He carries the team when they need him and he’s all about having fun playing the game he loves. That’s all that matters,” Tyler Albright, junior, said.

Agreeing with this statement, students voiced that Newton is able to back up his celebrations with the amount of skill that he has. “Cam Newton is cocky, but not in a bad way. MVP players should be able to be as cocky as they want. He backs himself up very well, and is a stud,” Ben Price, sophomore, said.

However, as for Newton’s reactions towards his loss in the Superbowl–I personally thought he could have acted with much more class. Walking away from reporters and not answering questions, unlike his teammates, was a tad immature.  Yet, his reaction to the loss showed many people how seriously Newton takes the game, and the passion he has for it. Newton was well aware of the way he acted and does not want to apologize for it, because he simply was just upset from the loss. “I’m on record as being a sore loser. I hate losing. You show me a good loser and I’ll show you a good loser,” Newton said, according to Sports Center. The way he acted after a loss does not define his character; rather, it shows the fact that he takes losing very harshly, and is hard on himself. As long as he stays respectful to other athletes, he will continue to prove that confidence is not a bad thing.

If there is anything that young athletes should learn from Newton, it is that people should not be afraid to be confident, especially when they have earned it. People have to realize that there are always going to be people who are not fans, no matter what the case may be. But as long as one is true to himself or herself, without being disrespectful toward others, confidence is most certainly beneficial to the game.