Cam Newton by Mario Testino for GQ September 2016 + His Controversial Comments About Race in the Issue

Cam Newton by Mario Testino for GQ September 2016.
*In the interview, Cam states some pretty controversial comments about race—many that seem to go directly against those he said back in January right before the Superbowl. Below are some excerpts from the discussion with Zach Baron. It looks as if he’d like to distance himself from any mentions of racism, but as we’ve seen with not only athletes, but celebrities and fashion designers, a failure to mention race and its importance in everyday global life does not simply make it go away. Perhaps, Cam will change his tune again, but we’re indeed confused and shocked about his decision to pretend it’s no longer as pertinent as prevalent as an issue as it is…
GQ: Do you feel like football fans are racist toward you? Cam Newton: It’s not racism. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion.
GQ: So if it’s not that, what is it, do you think? CN: I’ll let you be the judge. I don’t look at it like that. I look at it like some people have certain beliefs, and I have my own belief, and we can agree to disagree on certain things. But this is what makes sports so amazing, that we can start a discussion around a table, in the newspaper, in the magazines, that will get people’s attention. And that’s what sports does.
GQ: In January, right before the Super Bowl, you said: “I’m an African-American quarterback that may scare a lot of people because they haven’t seen nothing that they can compare me to.” CN: I don’t want this to be about race, because it’s not. It’s not. Like, we’re beyond that. As a nation.
GQ: You really think so? CN: Yeah. I mean, you bring it to people’s attention. But after that, that’s it.
GQ: Do you have an opinion on Donald Trump? CN: I don’t. I think he’s an unbelievable businessperson. That’s probably it. But outside of my personal belief, that’s just, you know, my personal belief.
GQ: Did you vote for the North Carolina governor that enacted that bathroom law? CN: Um…that’s too personal. You know, I gain nothing by answering it.
GQ: I think the bill is repellent. I’m not trying to be coy. CN: I love people too much to care about those type of things.
Source: GQ