IT MUST BE THE SHOES...

I had my mind set to write about another topic that really deserves focus and I will get to that for sure, but after a noticeable act by Cam Newton, I must extol the virtues of leadership and to what lengths leaders go to make everyone feel valued.

Cam's shoes represent the names of all of his teammates; sole collector.com

Cam Newton has been the ultimate leader gaining the highest measure of respect from his teammates, including those on the defensive side. Typically the tacklers are reluctant to embrace the high profile playmakers as they get too much credit playing one of 22 positions, special teams notwithstanding. But Cam Newton has not only earned their respect but their command. How? By doing everything everyone said he couldn't do; lead men and play the Quarterback position at a high level in a non-traditional fashion. Let me translate it for you: He isn't smart enough to play Quarterback in the NFL. One by one, little by little, they are changing their minds and some are even admitting they were wrong. Quiet confidence against the backdrop of criticism is Cam's specialty for longer than the naysayers would admit. A typical college transgression was turned into a grand theft occurrence and used to justify that drafting him would be a big mistake. You've heard me say it often, the media can really be cruel when they don't want to see a player succeed or have a secret agenda. If you've followed the saga of Cam Newton you know exactly of that which I speak.

Cam Newton is a leader. A role model, an advocate for increasing the future fan base of the league. He is a student of the game and when told what it would take to be an elite player in the league he did what leaders do. He committed full tilt and all out. Spent time with his coaches, stayed in film study and work to make those around him better. But how much of that did the media share with you? Not as much as they could have because it would have been counterproductive to the mudslinging they have spewed since he came into the league. But Cam kept quiet and continued to invest in the team by setting example after example of what it means to be committed.

Cam has unified the offense and defense leading by example; Charlotte Observer

He brought both sides of the ball together for a common cause bigger than any player or any side of the ball. He yielded to his coaches without a murmur of objection, simply falling in line so the other players could follow suit. He galvanized a community with continual acts of kindness during holidays and moments that required immediate support. And to top it off, after the ill advised letter sent by a mom regarding her disdain for his end zone antics while giving Taylor Swift and other entertainment influencers a free pass, he has created a phenomena with kids lining up hoping to get a hand delivered football from Cam allowing them to celebrating touchdowns with him allowing them to feel even more a part of the franchise. The fines for his generosity of donated footballs has exceeded $200,000 and yet he shows no sign of slowing down the end zone act. He does this all the while having fun leading men successfully and consistently.

Think back to the big fracas between Odell Beckham, Jr and Josh Norman and it was Cam who joined in the calming waves of influence to settle the defensive back down and remind him the focus is on football and not bravado. That was vintage Cam and the number of stories are too many to list but rest assured Cam has been leading since high school onto junior college, at Auburn and now in the NFL.

How many kids now have an NFL Football for a pillow thanks to Cam? SB Nation

What motivates players? Leaders know and Cam knew in the biggest game of their current franchise history that focus should be on the team, not the matchup nor their respective positions. How far was he willing to go to make that point? Head to toe. With his brain by being prepared, putting in the work and making sure everyone was on the same page. With his body, sacrificing it for first downs and touchdowns. And with his feet running when a play broke down and before the game started by coming on the field with the name of every teammate on your cleats.

If I'm a teammate of Cam Newton's I immediately recognized that Superman knew he couldn't win it all without the team. And he put it in writing with custom made cleats. No matter what he did this past Sunday the shoes told you everything you need to know about Cam. His message was clear and his method was unmistakable. Leaders leave no doubt, and Cam didn't either as to the value of team.

That's the way I see it sitting in The Box Seat. I'm Wayne Box Miller.