Cam Newton takes Geno Auriemma’s side in beef with Dawn Staley
· Yahoo Sports
Although UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley have squashed their beef, it’s still the talk of the sports world.
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The pair got into an altercation after Auriemma accused Staley of not shaking his hand before the game started (she did) and accused a South Carolina player of ripping his player’s jersey (she didn’t).
This all took place after the Gamecocks soundly defeated the Huskies in the semifinals of the Women’s NCAA Tournament, in which the Gamecocks ended UConn’s perfect season.
Many thought that Auriemma overreacted after the loss and showed poor sportsmanship, but one person took his side: former NFL MVP Cam Newton.
Newton sided with Auriemma and said this was good for women’s basketball.
“I loved everything that Geno did because it’s good for the sport. Because when you start talking about women’s sports, there’s a sweetheart element to it,” Newton said. “Oh, those are women playing. They can’t be beauty and the beast. They can’t have no bravado. They can’t have no chip on their shoulder. There’s a stereotype. And this type of toxicity is good for the sport. Toxicity sells tickets.”
He then added, “We don’t need no more darlings. We need some demons.”
That’s an interesting perspective, but he may not be wrong. The women’s game has enjoyed a resurgence especially when Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark faced each other a few years ago in the NCAA Tournament.
Their rivalry brought big ratings for women’s basketball and continues today. It wasn’t a good look for Auriemma but it didn’t hurt the game either.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Cam Newton takes Geno Auriemma’s side in beef with Dawn Staley