At Combine, Newton says football is No. 1 priority

Saturday, February 26, 2011
Posted: 7:59 p.m.Updated: 9:10 p.m.

By Reuben Frank
CSNPhilly.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- Cam Newton was the only college player at the Combine to deliver a prepared statement. Maybe the first one ever.

Cant blame him, though. The record-setting, Heisman Trophy-winning Auburn quarterback took a ton of grief after calling himself an entertainer-slash-icon earlier this week in an interview with SI.com.

Not the kind of thing NFL teams want to hear from a potential franchise player.

So on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, Newton was in full damage-control mode when he met with the media.

First and foremost, I understand that my obligation is to be the best possible football player that I can be, Newton told reporters. I know and believe that. The recent comments were made during the announcement of my new endorsement partnership. I was making the point that I want to be the best possible ambassador for them just as like I want to be best possible ambassador for whatever team I am lucky enough to play for.

Im excited to compete this week. And you will see me doing everything possible to become the best player I can possibly be. First and foremost, Im blessed to be in this whole situation and I couldn't be in a better place right now than I am right now."

After reading the prepared statement, Newton answered questions. Including ... why did you need a prepared statement?

I felt it was somewhat misunderstood, he said. It was partly my mistake in not making myself clear, and that was my fault.

Newton knows that any sign that hes more interested in being a performer or entertainer than truly committing himself to football is a red flag to the teams considering drafting him.

"Football is my No. 1 priority, I want to make that perfectly clear, he said.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert, who could take Newton with the sixth pick in this years draft, said Newtons attitude doesnt concern him.

No, it really doesn't, the long-time Eagles GM said Saturday. Now, with Twitter and everything, everybody's a star now. Cam is a guy, he knows football is the main thing, and if the other stuff happens, that's fine. Then it's up to him. He knows football is the deal and I think he's willing to spend the time to do it.

The Broncos own the second pick in this year's draft and new vice president of football operations John Elway said the time Newton spends at the Combine meeting with teams and speaking with coaches is actually more important for him than the time he's actually on the field workout out.

I think that it is good for people to get around Cam," said Elway, the Hall of Fame quarterback. "I think you can watch the film and see how athletically gifted he is, but I think that the questions with Cam are those questions that everybody is bringing up. So I know it is good for us just to get around him and get a feel for him. I think it is good for Cam to be here.

Its been quite a year for Newton, who was embroiled in an eligibility-related controversy throughout the past season after it was revealed that his father had violated NCAA rules by asking for money in exchange for sending his son to a college program.

After an investigation, the NCAA declared Newton eligible for Auburns last two games, including the BCS Championship Game, saying he was unaware of his fathers actions.

Asked about the incident, Newton gave an answer that sounded like something out of the Donovan McNabb Playbook.

"During this whole process with the whole NCAA, it's been somewhat of me facing adversity, he said. And I think I owe a whole lot of my due diligence to my supporting cast, my teammates, my coaching staff, my close friends, my family members and just people that has been available for me to talk to in the wee hours of the night and just being available.

The relationship with my father is one that was already good before this whole adversity thing came up with the NCAA and with this whole NCAA thing swarming around my family and everybody that was affiliated with me. It just brought me and my father closer together. ...

My father is just like any other father that wants the best for his son. He wants to see his son succeed in every way possible."

Newton had one of the greatest seasons in college football history, completing 66 percent of his passes this year for 2,854 yards, with 30 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, and rushing for 1,473 yards and 20 more touchdowns.

"For me, it's been extremely exciting, Newton said. This whole path to where I am right now has been something of a whirlwind to say the least, but at the same time this is what I signed up for. Im blessed. I cant even say that enough. To know that I'm sitting in front of you guys, talking to you guys, and to know 365 days ago right now I was attending class at Auburn (after transferring from Blinn Junior College and Florida).

Even the Auburn fans didn't even know what they was getting at this time last year. It's a wonder what God can do in a person's lifethis fast."

Newtons performance at the Combine and his interviews with the coaches will go a long way toward determining just how high Newton gets drafted. He played in a spread offense at Auburn and theres considerable debate about how his talents will transfer to the NFL.

This week is also a chance for Newton to answer all questions about his character.

"My biggest thing is everybody has a learning process that they go through, he said. For me, that learning process happened three years ago, the mistakes that I made Florida, the trials and tribulations that I went through at Blinn College, has made me the person that I am today.

E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com