An accepted courtesy when ending a long term relationship is to do it face-to face. Apparently, the Carolina Panthers missed the memo. It was recently revealed that the Panthers’ organization informed star quarterback, and former NFL MVP, Cam Newton that they were moving in a different direction via text message.
Former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe took the Panthers to task over their handling of the situation on the Wednesday edition of FS1’s Undisputed.
“I am disappointed in the Panthers,” Sharpe said. “They could have handled it better. I understand wanting to do some spring cleaning. You have a new owner and a new head coach, you want a new quarterback. They were perfectly within their rights, but Cam Newton deserved better than that (a text message). He was the face of your franchise for nine years.”
As a contrast, Sharpe describes how he was released from the Ravens.
“(General Manger) Ozzie Newsom called me and wanted to know what I was going to do (for the next season),” Sharpe said. “I had just led the league in catches for tight end that year. I was going to play. Ozzie said, ‘You know we drafted Todd (Heap) and we are going to play him. Somebody’s going to want you though. Go and find out. If not, you can always come back, but just know Todd is going to be our starter.’ I had no problem with that.”
Sharpe then asks the Panthers’ organization some pointed questions.
“Are you telling me they could not do the same for Cam? Marty Hurney, you drafted this man. Are you telling me you can’t at least pick up the phone and say, ‘Cam, we are going in another direction. Thank you and we wish you the best?’ Instead you send him a text? Man, that’s cold. That’s how you know the relationship is over. The Panthers were saying we are really, really done. We are done with everything about you, with you. It’s over. I’m going to forget the word courtesy and say they did not even have the decency to even pick up the phone and call Cam. He gave them everything he had for nine years. This is an awful look for Carolina.”
Sharpe reiterated the same point on his personal Twitter account after the show aired and it resonated with followers. The tweet and accompanying video clip of the show has received 2.4 thousand likes and 106,000 views.