Cam Newton compares Nick Folk to Paul Pierce
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
As is usually the case, Cam Newton’s Thursday press conference was full of nickname talk. However, this week it took a turn towards the Boston Celtics.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss was updating his running list of Newton’s nicknames, and ran through a few he was missing with the quarterback. After clarifying Ryan Izzo (Buzzo, because he looks like the brother Buzz in Home Alone) and Deatrich Wise (crazy legs), the focus turned to special teams.
Asked if Folk had earned a nickname after hitting a 51-yard game winning field goal on Monday night, Newton said “it’s usually ‘kicker guy,’ but I kind of want to call him ‘Paul Pierce guy’ because he did kind of fake like he was injured, but came back and balled.”
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Newton is of course referring to Pierce’s legendary habit of exaggerating contact and minor injuries throughout his career. The most notable example is in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals when he left the game in a wheelchair, only to return later in the quarter.
No doubt some Celtics fans would have rather Newton left the comparison at clutch late-game heroics after Folk ‘called game‘ against the Jets on Monday night. But there’s definitely truth to the comments, which is why they’ll resonate with Boston sports fans everywhere.
Newton wasn’t done dishing out the special teams nicknames though.
“It’s kicker guy, punter guy, snapper guy,” Newton explained. “But snapper guy is Bill Belichick’s favorite guy.” Newton added that ‘snapper guy,’ a.k.a. Navy product Joe Cardona, spoke to the team on Wednesday about Veterans Day, and taught Newton the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
