2-3-2016-ERNIE ALLEN’S-TOP STORY-

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Cam Newton wants any discussion of black quarterbacks in a Super Bowl put away.

For good.

Newton on Tuesday emphatically tried to lay to rest any relevance of an African-American quarterback appearing in the NFL’s championship game.

During a series of questions by a media member that bordered on confrontational, Newton finally said to the reporter: “It’s not an issue. It’s an issue for you.”

Carolina’s All-Pro quarterback, seemingly tired of the topic, added: “I think we shattered that a long time ago.”

This was the third time Newton had to deal with the subject since the Panthers made the Super Bowl. He didn’t need to point out that several other black quarterbacks have led their teams to the big game: Doug Williams, Steve McNair, Donovan McNabb, Colin Kaepernick, and Seattle’s Russell Wilson the past two years.

Color? It matters not at all and never should have.

“I don’t even want to touch on the topic of ‘black quarterback’ because I think this game is bigger than black, white or even green,” the fifth-year Panther said. “I think we limit ourselves when we just label ourselves just black this, that …

“I want to bring awareness because of that, but yeah, I don’t think I should be labeled just a black quarterback. It’s bigger things in this sport that need to be accomplished.”
By BARRY WILNER, AP Pro Football Writer