Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Undoubtedly it was an attention-grabber, the response of Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton to the issue of race surrounding his position. However, the profoundness of his response should not be overlooked. It was as if Newton was saying that the obviousness of blackness does not warrant only subtle recognition.

Citing Doug Williams’s Super Bowl performance and victory was proof enough that athletes of color were as capable of being team leaders as any in the history of the NFL.

Critics may say Newton was shunning his ethnic identity, but Newton seemed to be venting his displeasure against attempts to taint the air of excitement preceding the Super Bowl.

It should be remembered that Doug Williams’s Super Bowl appearance and victory were indeed a history-making event. And most recently, quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks led his team to victory over the much-favored Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Wilson just happened to ...