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Cam Newton, Antonio Brown Not Paid To Be Role Models

It seems as though the subject is brought up every year at some point or another, fueled usually by some type of on-field activity to which someone, often an outsider, has taken umbrage: a professional athlete has acted in a manner that is not befitting of a role model.

Now is as good a time as any for a reminder: being paid as a professional athlete does not oblige one to become a role model.

The latest meaningless accusation of failure to be a role model was levied at Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton by a local Tennessee mom, chagrined over his dancing in celebration of scoring a touchdown, and over the questions that her daughter allegedly launched at her in response.