Fans in Green Bay, New England, Indianapolis, and New Orleans will be upset to hear that the two greatest draws, in terms of new fan interest to the NFL and general merchandise sales, are not on any of their teams.
I don’t know of anyone who would make the case they’re the best players, but Tim Tebow and Cam Newton are by far the most captivating players.
Tim Tebow, as a back-up, was selling out Mile High Stadium. He had one of the highest selling jerseys in football. How many times has a back-up came into a game and lost? Plenty. After the loss, how many times has the stadium chanted “We want ____” despite losing? None.
Or at least none until this season.
It’s hard to say why Tim Tebow is such a captivating figure. However, this is a much-talked about subject. My goal is to make the extra point.
Cam Newton was the greatest thing that could have happened to the NFL. It’s been five long years since Michael Vick’s removal from football divided the black audience. Black people just don’t go to a lot of football games.
Or at least they didn’t. Not until Cam Newton.
The emergence of a charismatic, super athletic quarterback whose arm draws comparisons to a rocket-launcher was a great thing for the NFL. The fact that he’s black may allow him to become the icon he wanted to be.
There has never been an elite black quarterback in this era. Cam Newton has a shot to become the first. If he does, he will break the bank. Cam could very well get the first ever two hundred million dollar man.
However, the money he generates will greatly surpass that. He’s the biggest draw in football, and he’s just a rookie.