The internet has been buzzing about Cam Newton, ever since the former Panthers QB’s viral brawl in Atlanta stirred the dust. While some applaud his restraint, others are slamming him for entering the ring in the first place. Jason Whitlock, as an unapologetically blunt commentator, didn’t just drop a bomb but threw the entire artillery.

On his podcast ‘Fearless,’ Whitlock tossed out a controversial comparison, labeling Newton as “Deion Sanders Lite.” Whitlock unleashed a verbal grenade on his recent podcast, linking former MVP to the Colorado Buffaloes HC Coach Prime, Deion Sanders.

Whitlock exposed his views on the harsh reality of what he sees as Newton’s leadership flaws, arguing that despite Newton’s unparalleled talent across multiple positions, he falls short where it matters most—leading a team.

To add more relevance to his point, Whitlock brought up Newton’s past in context to explain his understanding that ‘Cam Newton is not a leader.’ Whitlock went to the extent of saying, “Newton is Deion Sanders Lite. The same people who worship Coach Prime spent much of Sunday celebrating and defending Cam Newton.” 

The comparison lands like a thunderclap extending beyond the brawl as the former columnist dived into Newton’s coaching aspirations and his recent role overseeing a seven-on-seven football team. Whitlock paints a picture of a football luminary wrestling with a leadership identity crisis, caught between the demands of the game and the expectations placed on a coach. Whitlock’s criticism of Newton comes only after the Sunday evening incident, but why did he drag Deion Sanders into the mix?

Jason Whitlock’s history with Prime

The former ESPN employee has locked horns not just with Coach Prime but also with Stephen A. Smith recently. However, he has a history of throwing shades at the 2x Super Bowl winner. Whitlock has acted as a host to give a platform to stories that go against Prime’s charismatic character. On Feb 23, Whitlock finally broke the silence on why he always criticizes Deion, “The reason why I’m critical of Deion is because I think virtually all of his actions promote things that are antithetical to Christianity,” said Whitlock.

Read More: “You Knew It Was Prime”: Shedeur Sanders Exposes Coach Prime’s Crazy Habit That Keeps Celebrations at Bay