Cam Newton: 'I'm an African American QB that scares people'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has suggested for the first time that race may play a factor in why he's become such a lightning rod for public criticism.

The league MVP candidate said Wednesday, ''I'm an African-American quarterback that scares people because they haven't seen nothing that they can compare me to.''

"I'm an African-American quarterback that may scare a lot of people because they haven't seen nothing that they can compare me to," Carolina Panthers Cam Newton said after being asked why he's judged more than other athletes.

Newton, the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft out of Auburn, has more than his fair share of detractors. who either don't like how he plays, his celebrations or his self-confidence.

Newton is putting up record-breaking numbers, but says he learned he can't please everyone, and needs to be true to himself.

The quarterback says ''people are going to judge, and have opinions on things I don't have control over.''