Habs’ Subban sees a kindred spirit in Carolina Panthers’ quarterback
Canadiens defenceman P. K. Subban and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton have a lot in common. They are both 26 years old. They are both fantastic athletes. They both have smiles and personalities that can light up a room.
They are both incredibly rich — Subban signing an eight- year, $ 72- million contract and Newton inking a five- year, $ 103- million deal.
They are both very confident, enjoy fashion and love the camera.
They can both rub some people the wrong way — and unfortunately their skin colour might play a factor in that.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Subban will be cheering for Newton during Sunday’s Super Bowl when the Panthers take on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.
“I’m not a Panthers fan. I’m a Cowboys fan … everybody knows that,” Subban said after practice Friday in Brossard. “I’m going to state it again: I’m a Cowboys fan, diehard. But I want to see Cam Newton win.
“I think he’s the new generation of quarterback and I think it would be great to see somebody who’s not that prototypical kind of stereotype of what a quarterback’s supposed to look like and sound like and move like, and I think it’s great,” Subban added.
Subban also compared Newton to former Boston Bruins great and Hall of Famer Bobby Orr.
“Until Bobby Orr kind of changed the position for defencemen, nobody ever believed that the game could be played that way,” Subban said. “( Newton’s) a monster out there ( at 6- foot- 5 and 245 pounds).”
Subban was asked if he sees similarities between himself and the quarterback.
The Canadien flashed his smile before saying: “When I listen to him speak, he’s a really intelligent guy. So maybe we’re cerebral … we’re kind of on the same page. But as far as his size goes, I mean he’s a monster.
“I guess we maybe have a similar impact on the game,” Subban added. “But right now I’m not in the running — I don’t think I am — for MVP of the NHL.” Has Subban ever met Newton? “No,” he said. “I’d love to, though.”
I’m a Cowboys fan, diehard. But I want to see Cam Newton win.
P.K. SUBBAN