Marcus Hayes: Cam Newton, Russell Wilson handled disappointment differently

 "Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." -- Cam Newton, Tuesday, defending his indefensible actions after Super Bowl 50.

The similarities between Russell Wilson and Cam Newton are obvious. So are the differences.

Notably, Russell Wilson is both a Super Bowl champion and a good loser. Also, Wilson is a humble person not given to self-aggrandizement. Newton thinks he's Superman and Michael Jackson all rolled into one.

Both Wilson and Newton are mobile, young quarterbacks with big arms. Much is asked of them, since both Wilson's Seahawks and Newton's Panthers are fueled by elite defenses.

Both are black.

Both transferred while in college … but that's where the differences begin to emerge.

Wilson transferred from N.C. State after three outstanding seasons because, as property of the Colorado Rockies, he wanted to play professional baseball in the spring, which the Wolfpack did not want, so he used his fourth year of eligibility at Wisconsin, where he played well.

Newton transferred from Florida to a junior college in the wake of legal and academic improprieties. He won the national title and the Heisman Trophy with Auburn in 2010 while he and his father were being investigated by the NCAA for soliciting payments from recruiters.

Both lost Super Bowls, but Newton did so spectacularly, on Sunday, with one of the worst full-game performances in the game's history. He was gun-shy, bewildered and cowardly; the game's most remarkable moment was when, with the game on the line, he refused to dive on his own fumble. He justified his cowardice yesterday by comparing it to quarterbacks not pursuing during an interception runback.

Wilson lost his Super Bowl last year, trying to repeat, and lost on perhaps the most controversial play call in Super Bowl history.

Both were asked to address their performances after the game.

Remember: Wilson was fresh from a man-to-man failure against Tom Brady, whose fourth-quarter drive gave his Patriots the lead. Wilson was at the 1, with plenty of time, when coach Pete Carroll ignored franchise back Marshawn Lynch and called the pass play on which Wilson threw the killing interception.

Newton, 26, was surreally surly, unforgivably dismissive. He walked off the interview stage like a spoiled 10-year-old leaving the principal's office..

By contrast, Wilson, who also was then 26, was the picture of professionalism, patience and eloquence; but then, Wilson was his high school president and graduated from N.C. State in three years.

With a scholar's dispassion and ease Wilson dissected the play from every angle; defended Carroll's play call; complimented the defender; expressed faith that he and his team would contend for many more titles. Tirelessly, Wilson completely answered many of exactly the same questions Newton deflected or disregarded:

"I put the blame on me. I'm the one who threw it. It's something you learn from. It's something you grow from. You keep learning, keep growing."

"(Carroll) He took the blame. I put the blame on me."

"You've got to give credit to (Malcolm) Butler for making the play. The guy just barely cut in front of him. It wasn't a throwaway situation."

"I wasn't surprised (at the call). If you hand the ball to Marsahwn, it's a great option. When I threw it, I thought, 'Game Over.' "

"I hate knowing I'm the one who lost it."

In a 10-minute span last year, Wilson proved himself one of the NFL's more remarkable, respected stars.

It took Cam Newton just three minutes Sunday night and a few more minutes today to prove his critics right.