New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton had two responses to Jeff Garcia’s harsh criticism.
Yes, the former NFL quarterback was right — but, no, Newton isn’t changing how he dresses.
During NBC Sports Bay Area’s postgame show Sunday after the Patriots’ 33-6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Garcia ripped Newton’s flashy attire. Newton responded Monday during an interview with WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.”
“You know what’s crazy? I agree with him,” Newton said. “And the fact that he’s a former player, he has every right to say that. And until that happens, so be it. But that’s another opinionated theory, and it’s fair to say. I know I come off to so many different people so many different ways, and that’s fine. You know what, he’s exactly right. But I’m not changing the way I dress. I’m sorry.”
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After Newton threw for 98 yards with three interceptions in Sunday’s loss and was benched in the fourth quarter, Garcia attacked the way Newton dresses, arguing that the former MVP shouldn’t be dressing flashy considering how badly he’s been playing lately.
“You go into this game with two touchdowns, four interceptions, you threw what, three more interceptions?” Garcia said. “You get yanked in the second half, there’s nothing good going your way. Why are you dressing like that to bring more attention to yourself? I’d be trying to ask the equipment managers, ‘Put me in your jock sock cart and sneak me in the back door and I’ll show up on the field and do the best that I can.'”
Newton, who signed with the Patriots this offseason after Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has thrown for 969 yards in five games this season. Since returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list, Newton, 31, has five interceptions and no touchdown passes in his past two games.
Garcia played 11 NFL seasons, including five with the 49ers, and was a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback before retiring from the NFL in 2010.
“I don’t know Jeff, but I would say this: I do certain things because of the culture I’m from,” Newton said. “And where I’m from — I don’t know where Jeff is from, and I don’t want to harp on it too long — but let’s just say he’s right.”
