Ron Rivera defended Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on March 23 after Newton's post Super Bowl 50 interview.
Rivera was attending the NFC Coaches' Breakfast meeting in Boca Raton, Fla. when he brought up Newton's behavior during the post game interview after Super Bowl 50, according to the Panthers Website. He thinks that the losing team shouldn't talk to the press after losing a big game like the Super Bowl, since the players are in such an emotional state. Instead, only the coaches should talk.
"What we ask players to do after a game like that is tremendously unfair. I really do mean that, too," Rivera said. "In a situation like that, there is only one person that needs to talk, and that’s the head coach. Let him handle the situation and answer the questions. If not, that’s what you are going to get. That’s unfortunate, but that’s the truth."
However, Rivera also acknowledges the media and their search for the raw emotion from the players, especially from the quarterbacks.
"I get it. I understand how important it is for everybody to see this and hear this after the game and get the raw emotion. I get that," Rivera explained. "But I also think we also need to understand and show appreciation that that’s hard. It’s a difficult thing to get up and do."
Back in February, Newton only spent around three minutes during the Super Bowl news conference before he walked off, reported ESPN. He was clearly upset over the 24-10 loss against the Broncos. He was criticized for his lack of professionalism. However, two days later, he admitted that he was a "sore loser."
Rivera suggested at the very least that players from both teams shouldn't be put in the same room for the conference.
He also suggested that the losing team should talk to the press one or two days after the game so players can be in a better state of mind. "To me, personally, let one person do it,'' he said, referring to the head coach. "And then you can talk to the guys later on.''