Cam Newton is way too good to be a sore loser.

We’re at it again with the Panthers’ quarterback who, despite his MVP performances, apparently cannot handle the poor games gracefully. Newton got in hot water again after he couldn’t get Carolina’s offense going in a loss to the Bears.

His all-pro career was already dotted with episodes that belie his accomplishments on the field, from walking out on his Super Bowl press conference two years ago, to missing standard sessions with the media, to flippantly insulting a female sports writer to refusing to answer a good question about his team’s inability to make big plays this season.

The mark of a mature quarterback, who has become the face of his team, is to handle bad games with class, leading through – and despite – his disappointment. Newton and the Panthers’ offense had some tough breaks against the Bears last weekend, giving up two turnovers for long scores.

Those weren’t Newton’s fault – someone else’s fumble returned for a touchdown and a tipped pass into the arms of the same Bears defender for another catastrophic play. Sure he was upset the Cats could not overcome those miscues with more offense; so just say, “We all have to play better.”

That means receivers need to make more difficult catches, a banged-up offensive line must improve its blocking, and he has to regain the precision he showed in upset wins at New England and Detroit. Newton’s not to blame for losing three games so far, but by not being more diplomatic, he earns criticism and leaves his team to make silly excuses for him.

Into his seventh season in the NFL after winning a Heisman Trophy and national championship at Auburn, Newton by now should be more mature than when he clearly doesn’t think about what he’s saying or displays a short fuse when facing sensitive questions.

Calling yourself a sore loser won’t cut it with the fans and the attending media. He gets paid millions for playing and representing his team; while no quarterback is great every game, Cam can gather himself and not make it worse by acting out and putting even more pressure on him and the Panthers.

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