Newton’s Impending Farewell

The internet will tell you Barry Bonds retired in 2007, when he last played a game. But there was that moment in 2008 when he proclaimed to the baseball world, “I’m not retired”. Unfortunately for Bonds, baseball had already determined otherwise. A classic example of the game being done with you before you are done with the game. Something we see often, most notably the black quarterback. It seems we only hear about black quarterbacks retiring years after the phone stops ringing. Similar to the line from the old G.I. Joe cartoon I watched as a kid, they don’t retire, they just fade away. See Kordell Stewart, whose retirement came seven years after his final game. See Aaron Brooks, Michael Vick, Daunte Culpepper, Byron Leftwich, David Garrard, and even Colin Kaepernick. How is it that the same athletes that changed the way the position has been played and added so much entertainment value to the sport always seem to have their careers end so quietly and uneventful?

This takes us to Cam. Cam Newton, who is yet to announce his NFL retirement. Cam Newton who set the league on fire, leading the Panther to a 15-1 regular season record in route to a Super Bowl. Cam Newton who rewrote record books and dominated in a way we’d never seen a quarterback dominate. As of today Cam has yet to concede his playing career, at least publicly. Although he has spoken openly about his desire to play it appears that window is closed. Similar to Bonds years ago in MLB, it seems the NFL has made the decision for him.

It’s quite a common theme for black quarterbacks. Rarely do they ever seem to retire. Rarely do you see the press conference or the official retirement speech. Rarely do we get the Breaking News headline that a black quarterback is stepping away from the game. It’s usually just a random announcement years after that final snap, acknowledging what the rest of us have long come to terms with.

Let’s be clear this isn’t about NFL racism, or unfair treatment by the league. The point really is as a black man in America, I do want to see a black quarterback go out on top. Retire with dignity, and fanfare. It would be nice to see that retirement lap around the league. That final walk off the field like Drew Brees had. To see a black quarterback go out after a Super Bowl like John Elway, or Payton Manning.

It felt Cam was on his way down that ever elusive path when he returned to Carolina in the 21-22 season. The team was no good, and Cam wasn’t particularly good but he energized the fan base. What Carolina fan could forget his first game back at Bank of America stadium when he throws one touchdown and runs for another (the infamous “I’m Back” celebration) and defeat the Ari Cardinals. Unfortunately in the end there was no payoff. And while it’s technically not over, Cam’s career likely ends unceremoniously on the bench of a blowout loss to the rival Buccaneers.

This is why I root for guys like Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Dak Prescott among others. Black quarterbacks revolutionized the game. They’ve changed the narratives, overcome stereotypes, and proven they can compete at the highest level. Yet Warren Moon remains the only black quarterback in the Hall of Fame. That tells me the race isn’t over. There is still a ways to go. It’s not only how you start but how you finish. For their sake I hope they finish on their terms, and not when the league decides they are finished.