NFL quarterback Cam Newton announced recently, “I’m tired of being humble”. As this statement proves, there’s never been any danger of that.

Newton is a microcosm of what’s wrong with sports (and society) today. If he’s what passes for humble, we’ve all got bigger issues. He wouldn’t know it if he tripped over it. This is Rome before the fall.

Going back a handful of years, here’s how one respected NFL writer described him (after listing his many attributes, almost all of them physical) when evaluating Newton for the upcoming NFL draft:

Very disingenuous – has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego and a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he’s above the law… Does not command respect from teammates and always will struggle in the locker room….Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness…. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable. An overhyped, high-risk, high reward selection…

Finally, why were there almost no NFL teams that wanted to sign him as a free agent this year? It makes you wonder.