Bill Wixey: Ban Cam Newton from CenturyLink Field? We're better than this, 12s

SEATTLE -- A Seahawks fan has created an online petition to ban Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton from CenturyLink Field.

The Change.org petition reads:

“Cam Newton is one of the most unprofessional, unsportsmanlike individual on the face of the planet. So I say for the 2016-2017 when the Panthers come to play in Seattle he should be banned from entering the stadium. This should teach him to put his arrogance in check!!”


The petition has almost a thousand supporters.

Let’s get real. We are better than this, 12s.

Sadly, this story has already gotten significant media play, and it just makes all Seahawks fans look like whiny, sore losers. It makes Panthers fans wish their team would beat the Hawks by 50 points.

Newton has had a phenomenal season for the Panthers, guiding the NFL’s top offense, and will most likely be the league’s MVP.

Now, I will admit that Cam’s “Superman” schtick—the preening, showboating, muscle-flexing act-- does get old, but you know what? As Babe Didrickson once said, “It ain’t bragging if you can do it.” And Cam’s doing it his way. He doesn’t need to apologize to anyone, and shouldn’t.

I understand the frustration on the part of Seahawks fans. Newton and the Panthers beat the Hawks twice this season, and after Carolina’s divisional playoff win, Cam notoriously grabbed a 12s flag, crumpled it in his hands and tossed it aside. A lot of fans said that he disrespected Seattle fans by doing that.

The guy was excited, and was celebrating his first playoff victory on his home field. It was a big deal. If you don’t want the opposing quarterback tossing your flag aside during his celebration, don’t hand him your team’s flag.

Let’s forget about stupid petitions. It’s pointless. You don’t see the Seahawks complaining about how another team celebrates, and we shouldn’t either. We’ve had a lot to celebrate ourselves over the past few years, and other teams fans are justifiably jealous of the Hawks' accomplishments.

When the Seahawks came home from their divisional playoff loss in Carolina, there were hundreds—maybe even thousands—of 12s gathered to greet the team home.

You know how many Arizona Cardinals fans turned out to welcome their team home after their loss in the NFC Championship game? TWO.

That is the best of what we, as 12s, represent. Let’s focus on that, and stay away from childish, public pronouncements that make us look bad.

Let’s keep it classy, Seattle.