Cam Newton Makes Classic Athlete Mistake

Cam Newton has much to learn still. For example, there are many things that an athlete should not do. They should not bad mouth their teammates or coaches in public. They should not take plays off (or God forbid admit that they did it). Once they become celebrities they should not do anything that they don't mind seeing plastered all over the news and internet (because it will be).

Most of all they should never--and I mean never--give themselves a nickname.

It's just not cool. Nicknames are something special; something that has to be earned, and they are always given by someone else. Ben Jarvus Green Ellis didn't start calling himself 'Law Firm.' Matt Ryan didn't start 'Matty Ice' either. Revis Island, the Samoan Headhunter, Purple Jesus, Megatron--all nicknames that the owners earned and were given by someone else.

Enter Cam Newton, the second year quarterback of the Carolina Panthers. Now while his status coming out of Auburn in 2011 gave him instant celebrity status, he did a lot to solidify it by having a strong overall rookie season last year. The team has high hopes for him and the future, as does Cam himself.

The youngster is so sure of himself that he gave himself a rather crappy nickname during a recent radio appearance:

Hey man. Ace Boogie, man. He ain't going to let you down.

Now I haven't heard where exactly he came up with the name. In 2002 there was a movie about a character of the same name that worked his way up the chain to become a cocaine kingpin in Harlem. The movie was name Paid in Full, after an album by rappers Erik B. and Rakim.

I can appreciate you wanting to make it to the top Cam, but next time let your teammates or the thousands of writers that cover you and your exploits come up with a nickname. It will be much, much better.

(Here's clip of Cam's apparent inspiration; he's the guy with the blue jacket--oh yeah, definitely NSFW.)