Cam Newton's "Incredible Sulk" reminded me of how to be a leader

Cam Newton is a star.  He's the MVP of the NFL and will make roughly $11M in endorsements this year atop his shiny $108M contract.  Sunday didn't go the way he wanted.  He got angry.

 "Who likes to lose? You show me a good loser and I'm going to show you a loser."

What do you think?

The Panthers had an incredible year.  They adopted Cam's ritual of finding young fans in the stands to grace with fresh touchdown footballs.

I loved it.  I loved how Cam matured from a cocky rookie to become of the quietest benefactors in the NFL.  I smile at the antics on the field and applaud his ability to keep in his zone, no matter the circumstance.

That is, until the week of the big game.

He made off-color statements that became instant media fodder, mostly blown out of proportion.  When given the opportunity to retract, he remained true to his convictions.  

Then came Sunday.

He was not jovial.  He didn't dance.  He didn't do his Superman pose or his first-down signal.  He didn't try to recover a late fumble.  The media jumped at the chance to express their disapproval.

Carolina lost, and Denver won its 3rd world championship in what will hopefully be Peyton Manning's final stamp of his legacy.

Then came the press conference.

Most questions asked were answered not with words, but with smirks.  The answers he did give were short and crude.

"We lost."

"Nothing different."

"They just played better than us."

"What do you want me to say?"

Here's what I wanted him to say.  I wanted him to say that he was proud of his team, proud of his coaches, proud of the Carolina fans.  I wanted him to say that he was upset, but that he loves the game, and that he was honored to be a professional football player, a Carolina Panther and role model to thousands of kids.  I wanted him to congratulate the Broncos on a superior defensive effort, and that he (and his team) would be back.  I wanted him to say thank you.

I wanted him to be a leader.

As a parent, I want my kids to see true sportsmanship from the biggest players in sport.    I want today's athletes to have class...always.

"Adversity does not build character, it reveals it."
- James Lane Allen

I don't mind that Cam is a sore loser...but that's not really the point, is it?  He has a responsibility to act as a role model.  

Punch a wall.  Sit at your locker and grind your teeth.  Cry in the shower...it's perfectly acceptable.  Regain your composure, think about what you're going to say and THEN meet the public and use your words.  

As a leader and business owner, I must convey a certain level of professionalism in public at all times.  My team depends on it, and my clients, family and friends deserve it.  I can't imagine the pressure of being on that big a stage with so much riding on the line, and losing something that means so much.  

So how would you react?  Personally, I choose to disagree with his statement...

"You show me a good loser and I'm going to show you a loser."

Instead, I offer this...

Show me a good loser, and I'll show you someone who understands their role, thinks hard, sucks it up, and acts...

like a leader.

I know Cam will reflect, learn and be even better, because he cares about the kids, he cares about the fans, he loves his teammates...at 26, we can't be too critical of this young man who's already shown us so much of the good inside. Soon enough, he'll be the leader that will make all around him proud.

Thanks for the great photos, Si.com, NYTimes.com, and ESPN.com.