Carolina Panthers
Keyshawn defends Cam for not falling on fumble, says he played to get rich, not reach HOF
Carolina Panthers

Keyshawn defends Cam for not falling on fumble, says he played to get rich, not reach HOF

Published Feb. 12, 2016 12:19 a.m. ET

Keyshawn Johnson was a tremendous talent but never one of the NFL's most popular players, due in large part to the perception that he had a "me-first" attitude.

So on Thursday when he appeared on "The Herd" and defended Cam Newton for not jumping on that fumble, his haters had to roll their eyes.

Jason Whitlock, who for the record is not a Keyshawn hater, certainly disagreed. Watch their exchange in the video below.

Keyshawn Johnson says Cam Newton made the right decision to not go after the fumble late in Super Bowl 50. #TheHerd

Posted by The Herd on Thursday, February 11, 2016

"Even if he's the star of the team, you have to be fair," Johnson said. "A lot of people go, 'Oh, he didn't dive on the football.' Well, you know ... I can tell you right now, he's worried about getting injured. Just look at his body control and how he attempted to dive. And if he goes there and gets hurt, the narrative is he's stupid. ...

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"How many times have we watched quarterbacks throw interceptions and not chase? Even Peyton Manning in the game threw a pick and walked off. He didn't chase."

To which Whitlock replied: "Peyton Manning is 56 years old with four neck injuries."

"It doesn't matter. ... You can't dive in there," Johnson said.

Keyshawn also defended Cam's MVP cleats: "Had the shoe company came to me and I was the MVP, guess what? I would've put them right on, too."

When Whitlock challenged him, saying, "If you had listened to me throughout your career, you'd be a Hall of Famer," Johnson offered this reply:

"Just to let you know, I didn't play to get into the Hall of Fame. I played to get rich and help my family and win Super Bowls. That's what I played for."

Keyshawn Johnson: I didn't play in the NFL to get in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I played to get rich & win Super Bowls. #TheHerd

Posted by The Herd on Thursday, February 11, 2016

To his credit, Johnson succeeded in his goals, including winning a Super Bowl with the Bucs in the 2002 season.

 

 

 

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