This being the (Sports) Hub of the Universe and all, Boston has seen its fair share of dominating athletes with national profiles before.
Bill Russell.
Ted Williams.
Bobby Orr.
Larry Bird.
David Ortiz.
Pedro Martinez.
Kevin Garnett.
And, of course, Tom Brady.
Those are just a few of the names. There are several more in the running.
Those players are all great champions. Hall of Famers. Nationally recognized. Some changed the games they played, at least certainly here in Boston.
But I'm not sure this city, this New England region, has ever seen an athlete with the impact in a locker room as Cam Newton.
I'm not saying Newton belongs on that list in terms of accomplishments. Not even close. Heck, he might not even get off the bench here with the Patriots and be gone in a year.
But that doesn't change the fact that when Newton walks into that Patriots locker room, he brings with him an enormous presence that few carry in any sport.
Brady is the GOAT, but I never got the sense other players were in awe of him — and that's a credit to him because he stayed so accessible and relatable to his younger teammates, unlike other aging stars.
With Newton, it's just different.
https://twitter.com/gregolsen88/status/1277403416877305856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1277403416877305856%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fnews%2Fplayers-react-to-cam-newton-joining-bill-belichick-patriots
https://twitter.com/CMC_22/status/1277424770217279493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1277424770217279493%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fnews%2Fplayers-react-to-cam-newton-joining-bill-belichick-patriots
He won a national championship and Heisman Trophy at Auburn. No. 1 overall draft pick. NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. NFL MVP. There are the postgame podium outfits, and outlandish quotes ("I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon.’’). The national criticisms for this and that. Superman. He has been the face of national and international campaigns for Under Armor, Gatorade and Beats.
