National Football League

Newton considers himself 'icon'

Published Feb. 22, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Former Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton had some questions about his character hanging over his head coming into this week’s NFL Scouting Combine. He might just have added another one.

"I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon,” Newton said as noted by Sports Illustrated's Peter King during a phone call he had with the quarterback.

While Newton potentially could be a top-10 selection in the first round based on upside, saying he sees himself as an entertainer and icon before he has even been drafted is not the kind of statement to make before you’re about to be interviewed by several NFL teams later this week. What he needs to prove is that football is the most important thing on his mind this week and nothing else.

Considering he only has one season as a starter at college football's highest level, Newton still has a lot to prove, and it starts in Indianapolis.