Cam Newton has suggested that his dreadlocks may be a reason why he was not signed by any NFL team during the 2022 season and remains a free agent. The three-time Pro Bowler has often been criticized for his individual fashion sense, which is more typical of an NBA player or Hollywood actor. Newton believes that his hair may have “scar[ed] people” and played a role in his current situation. However, he also points out that there are other quarterbacks in the league with long hair who are not being judged in the same way.
Newton acknowledges that his current situation is a far cry from the heights of his career just a few years ago when he won the league MVP in 2015. He is now 33 years old, and some have suggested that he is being held back by his reluctance to change his appearance. However, Newton is adamant that he will not compromise who he is and will continue to embrace his unique style.
Although he admits that there may be cheaper and younger players who have an advantage over him, Newton remains confident in his abilities. He played 15 games for the New England Patriots in 2020 and eight games for the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Newton's March statement, in which he declared that “there ain't 32 motherf****** better than me,” caused a stir and demonstrated his unshakeable belief in himself.
Newton's hair is deeply rooted in his culture, and he feels that it is an essential part of who he is. While he hopes that his appearance has not played a role in his current situation, he is unwilling to change who he is to fit in with the expectations of others.
Greg Hardy, a former NFL Pro-Bowl defensive end and UFC fighter, who was found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend in 2014, recently disclosed that he's working at Walmart despite making almost $3 million while playing in the league. Hardy was initially convicted on multiple counts for threatening to kill his girlfriend, but the case was dropped after the accuser didn't appear to testify in court. In 2016, he switched to mixed martial arts after being arrested for cocaine possession in Dallas. Despite facing criticism, he was invited to compete in the UFC's Contender Series after a series of dominant amateur performances.
The news that the former NFL star may have been employed at Walmart created a buzz in the MMA community, and social media platforms were filled with people's reactions. While some fans supported his alleged side hustle, others had mixed opinions. Twitter user @BeatinTheBookie defended Hardy's work, saying that at least he is working, and there's nothing wrong with that. On Thursday night, Hardy posted a video on his Instagram account, showing him discussing his job as an employee trying to sell Spectrum Internet. In the video, he can be seen walking around a Walmart store, complaining about his treatment by certain individuals and customers.
In 2015, Dallas signed Hardy to a one-year deal, even after he received a four-game suspension from the NFL, which conducted an investigation into an incident where he was accused of strangling and threatening to kill his girlfriend. Although he was initially convicted on multiple counts, the case was dropped upon appeal after the accuser didn't appear to testify in court. Many people were drawn to Hardy because they wanted to see an alleged woman beater get his comeuppance in the Octagon. This is precisely what happened when he was obliterated by Sergey Spivak at UFC 272 in 2022.
