Former Patriots quarterback Cam Newton has made headlines this season by downplaying New England's success, calling them "fool's gold" and a product of an easy schedule. He has also scoffed at the idea that Drake Maye throws the best deep ball in the NFL.
Does Newton feel any differently now that the Patriots are in the Super Bowl? He joined WEEI's Greg Hill, Jermaine Wiggins and Ted Johnson on Radio Row Thursday afternoon to explain where he's coming from.
"What happens is, honesty offends people," Newton said. "And I'm not trying to be liked. I just want to be respected and understand that every take doesn't require a career jab from their receiver of what I talked about. And I think that's so easy for people to do."
Greg asked Newton why he is trying to diminish the accomplishments of the Patriots and Maye, who looked up to Newton as a kid growing up in North Carolina while Newton was starring for the Carolina Panthers.
"It's never to diminish," Newton said. "It's to give you the left side of your brain thought processes of where most people aren't talking about right now. If you give me an example, I will give you the merit and logic about why, and the reason of what I said and why I said it. I think oftentimes it's not the message, it's the messenger. What some may deem as hate, bitterness or ignorance, it's the complete opposite. It's real."
Listen to the full interview above.
Greg, Wiggy and Ted are live from Radio Row in San Francisco 2-6 p.m. every day this week leading up to Super Bowl 60 between the Patriots and Seahawks.