Um, what?

This was on my Facebook news feed recently, and it got me wondering: Why is there so much hate for the Carolina Panthers quarterback and the rest of the team?

Yes, Peyton Manning is the sentimental favorite in Super Bowl 50, which is February 7 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Denver Broncos quarterback potentially could be playing the final game of his career. He even alluded to it after beating the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. NFL Films picked up the audio of Manning telling Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, "This might be my last rodeo." I'm guessing the majority of fans want to see the Broncos win and have Manning ride off into the sunset, just like John Elway did. It's a great story, and I get that.

Smallest margin of victory in a Super Bowl: Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood missed a 47-yard field goal as time expired, and the New York Giants beat the Bills 20-19 in 1991.

Smallest margin of victory in a Super Bowl: Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood missed a 47-yard field goal as time expired, and the New York Giants beat the Bills 20-19 in 1991.

Largest margin of victory in a Super Bowl: San Francisco demolished Denver 55-10 in 1990, winning by a record 45 points. It was the 49ers' fourth Super Bowl title in nine years.

Largest margin of victory in a Super Bowl: San Francisco demolished Denver 55-10 in 1990, winning by a record 45 points. It was the 49ers' fourth Super Bowl title in nine years.

First score in Super Bowl history: In the first quarter of what we know now as Super Bowl I, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Max McGee scored a touchdown on a 37-yard pass from Bart Starr. McGee made the catch with one hand, reaching behind him before speeding past the defender.

First score in Super Bowl history: In the first quarter of what we know now as Super Bowl I, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Max McGee scored a touchdown on a 37-yard pass from Bart Starr. McGee made the catch with one hand, reaching behind him before speeding past the defender.

Fastest score in a Super Bowl: On the first play from scrimmage in 2014, Denver center Manny Ramirez snapped the ball past quarterback Peyton Manning. Denver's Knowshon Moreno recovered the ball in the end zone for a Seattle safety. Only 12 seconds had elapsed.

Fastest score in a Super Bowl: On the first play from scrimmage in 2014, Denver center Manny Ramirez snapped the ball past quarterback Peyton Manning. Denver's Knowshon Moreno recovered the ball in the end zone for a Seattle safety. Only 12 seconds had elapsed.

Longest fumble return in a Super Bowl: Almost everything came up roses for the Dallas Cowboys in 1993, as they crushed Buffalo 52-17 in the Rose Bowl. But defensive lineman Leon Lett had an embarrassing moment late in the game when he was returning a fumble for what looked to be a sure touchdown. Lett returned the ball 64 yards, but he started showboating early and was stripped by Buffalo's Don Beebe.

Longest fumble return in a Super Bowl: Almost everything came up roses for the Dallas Cowboys in 1993, as they crushed Buffalo 52-17 in the Rose Bowl. But defensive lineman Leon Lett had an embarrassing moment late in the game when he was returning a fumble for what looked to be a sure touchdown. Lett returned the ball 64 yards, but he started showboating early and was stripped by Buffalo's Don Beebe.

Longest interception return in a Super Bowl: Pittsburgh's James Harrison picked off Arizona's Kurt Warner on the last play of the first half and rumbled 100 yards for a touchdown in 2009.

Longest interception return in a Super Bowl: Pittsburgh's James Harrison picked off Arizona's Kurt Warner on the last play of the first half and rumbled 100 yards for a touchdown in 2009.

Longest pass in a Super Bowl: Carolina wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad caught an 85-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme during Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.

Longest pass in a Super Bowl: Carolina wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad caught an 85-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme during Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.

Most Super Bowl wins for a head coach: Bill Belichick, with Brady as his quarterback, has won six Super Bowls as head coach of the Patriots. Belichick also won two Super Bowls as an assistant coach with the New York Giants.

Most Super Bowl wins for a head coach: Bill Belichick, with Brady as his quarterback, has won six Super Bowls as head coach of the Patriots. Belichick also won two Super Bowls as an assistant coach with the New York Giants.

Most Super Bowl wins for one player: Tom Brady has won six Super Bowls, all with New England. In his 19 NFL seasons, he's been to nine Super Bowls.

Most Super Bowl wins for one player: Tom Brady has won six Super Bowls, all with New England. In his 19 NFL seasons, he's been to nine Super Bowls.

Most interceptions in a Super Bowl: Oakland linebacker Rod Martin (No. 53) had three interceptions as the Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981.

Most interceptions in a Super Bowl: Oakland linebacker Rod Martin (No. 53) had three interceptions as the Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981.

Most rushing yards in a Super Bowl: Washington quarterback Doug Williams won the Super Bowl MVP award in 1988, but rookie running back Timmy Smith set a Super Bowl record that year with 204 rushing yards against Denver.

Most rushing yards in a Super Bowl: Washington quarterback Doug Williams won the Super Bowl MVP award in 1988, but rookie running back Timmy Smith set a Super Bowl record that year with 204 rushing yards against Denver.

Most receiving yards in a Super Bowl: San Francisco wide receiver Jerry Rice was named Super Bowl MVP in 1989 after he caught 11 balls for a record 215 yards against Cincinnati. The Hall of Famer also holds Super Bowl records for most points and most touchdowns in a career. He scored eight touchdowns over four Super Bowls.

Most receiving yards in a Super Bowl: San Francisco wide receiver Jerry Rice was named Super Bowl MVP in 1989 after he caught 11 balls for a record 215 yards against Cincinnati. The Hall of Famer also holds Super Bowl records for most points and most touchdowns in a career. He scored eight touchdowns over four Super Bowls.

Most passing yards in a Super Bowl: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for 505 yards in 2018, and his team still lost to Philadelphia 41-33. Brady broke the record he set just one year earlier when he led his team to a 34-28 overtime victory over Atlanta.

Most passing yards in a Super Bowl: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for 505 yards in 2018, and his team still lost to Philadelphia 41-33. Brady broke the record he set just one year earlier when he led his team to a 34-28 overtime victory over Atlanta.

Quarterback Steve Young threw six touchdowns passes — a Super Bowl record — as his San Francisco 49ers blew out San Diego 49-26 in January 1995. Look back at more Super Bowl records, including the greatest games, the greatest plays and the greatest winners.

Quarterback Steve Young threw six touchdowns passes — a Super Bowl record — as his San Francisco 49ers blew out San Diego 49-26 in January 1995. Look back at more Super Bowl records, including the greatest games, the greatest plays and the greatest winners.

Carolina is playing the role of Super Bowl 50 villain. The Panthers are brash. They're cocky. They're borderline arrogant, taking team photos after wins -- and sometimes even before their wins. In Sunday's NFC Championship Game, the Panthers -- who were en route to blowing out the Arizona Cardinals 49-15, were posing for photographs before and after the game was over.

Their fans love it. Outsiders hate it.

But these feelings against the Panthers didn't just start this week. This has been festering all season. When the Panthers were undefeated for most of the regular season (they're currently 17-1), it wasn't about if they would lose, it was when. The more they won, the more infuriated the haters got.

We've seen this before

After securing the top seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history, the Panthers still had doubters. Many -- me included -- thought they would lose to the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round. The Seahawks, by the way, previously had the reputation of being the NFL's cockiest team. Guess what? The Panthers dominated the first half and held on to win 31-24.

After the game, video showed Newton -- who rightfully was celebrating the win -- chucking a Seahawks "12th Man" flag that was thrown in his direction. That prompted a Seahawks fan to post a letter on Facebook, calling out "Mr. Classless Cam Newton."

Oh please. It was fun. He was smiling. He was in the moment. He just won, after all. Do we really need a deep dive on this?

Newton also has been the subject of criticism for his touchdown celebrations this season. Sometimes he somersaults into the end zone, like he did against the Cardinals on Sunday. And he likes to dance. A lot. Newton is the one who has made the "dab" dance in the end zone popular this season.

Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Photos: All the Super Bowl rings The New England Patriots received this ring for winning Super Bowl LIII in 2019. Rings have been made for every NFL champion since the first Super Bowl in 1967. Hide Caption 1 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl I: Green Bay Packers Hide Caption 2 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl II: Green Bay Packers Hide Caption 3 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl III: New York Jets Hide Caption 4 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl IV: Kansas City Chiefs Hide Caption 5 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl V: Baltimore Colts Hide Caption 6 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl VI: Dallas Cowboys Hide Caption 7 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl VII: Miami Dolphins Hide Caption 8 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl VIII: Miami Dolphins Hide Caption 9 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl IX: Pittsburgh Steelers Hide Caption 10 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl X: Pittsburgh Steelers Hide Caption 11 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XI: Oakland Raiders Hide Caption 12 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XII: Dallas Cowboys Hide Caption 13 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XIII: Pittsburgh Steelers Hide Caption 14 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XIV: Pittsburgh Steelers Hide Caption 15 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders Hide Caption 16 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XVI: San Francisco 49ers Hide Caption 17 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XVII: Washington Redskins Hide Caption 18 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XVIII: Los Angeles Raiders Hide Caption 19 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XIX: San Francisco 49ers Hide Caption 20 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XX: Chicago Bears Hide Caption 21 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXI: New York Giants Hide Caption 22 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXII: Washington Redskins Hide Caption 23 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers Hide Caption 24 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXIV: San Francisco 49ers Hide Caption 25 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXV: New York Giants Hide Caption 26 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXVI: Washington Redskins Hide Caption 27 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXVII: Dallas Cowboys Hide Caption 28 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXVIII: Dallas Cowboys Hide Caption 29 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXIX: San Francisco 49ers Hide Caption 30 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXX: Dallas Cowboys Hide Caption 31 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXXI: Green Bay Packers Hide Caption 32 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXXII: Denver Broncos Hide Caption 33 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXXIII: Denver Broncos Hide Caption 34 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXXIV: St. Louis Rams Hide Caption 35 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXXV: Baltimore Ravens Hide Caption 36 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXXVI: New England Patriots Hide Caption 37 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXXVII: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Hide Caption 38 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXXVIII: New England Patriots Hide Caption 39 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XXXIX: New England Patriots Hide Caption 40 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XL: Pittsburgh Steelers Hide Caption 41 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts Hide Caption 42 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants Hide Caption 43 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers Hide Caption 44 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans Saints Hide Caption 45 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers Hide Caption 46 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XLVI: New York Giants Hide Caption 47 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XLVII: Baltimore Ravens Hide Caption 48 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XLVIII: Seattle Seahawks Hide Caption 49 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots Hide Caption 50 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl 50: Denver Broncos Hide Caption 51 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl LI: New England Patriots Hide Caption 52 of 53 Photos: All the Super Bowl rings Super Bowl LII: Philadelphia Eagles Hide Caption 53 of 53

And some take offense to dancing, apparently. After a Newton score in a 27-10 win at the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Titans players took offense to his choreography. Newton, while backing away from the confrontation, just kept dancing.

"If you don't like me to do it, don't let me in," Newton said after the game.

But there was more fallout. A Tennessee mom who was at the game with her daughter sent a letter to the Charlotte Observer that she wrote to Newton

"Because of where we sat, we had a close-up view of your conduct in the fourth quarter," the letter said. "The chest puffs. The pelvic thrusts. The arrogant struts and the 'in your face' taunting of both the Titans' players and fans. We saw it all."

The woman later wrote: "Unfortunately, what you modeled for them today was egotism, arrogance and poor sportsmanship."

In response, Newton was quoted later , saying, "Everybody's entitled to their own opinion. Everyone is. You can't fault her for that. If she feels offended, I apologize to her, but at the end of the day, I am who I am. It is what it is."

Then the mom told the Observer she appreciated Newton's "comments and his respect for my thoughts, and I was impressed with the sensitivity and graciousness with which he spoke."

You do realize that Newton isn't the only dabbin' professional athlete, right? Other NFL players have done it. LeBron James has done it. Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney has done it. Where's the outrage when those guys did it?

Someone else who doesn't have a problem with it: Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman.

"You get to the end zone in an NFL game, you deserve the right to celebrate," Sherman said January 14, a few days before losing to Carolina in the divisional round. "You've worked hard. You're a professional athlete. If you don't get a chance to celebrate in the pros, when do you get a chance to celebrate? When do you get to show what you can do, to enjoy yourself?

"I mean, this is a game. Some people who have never played it, who have never expressed passion, sit behind desks all day and do that. Maybe you celebrate sometimes when you do something great, and nobody judges you, because nobody is watching. As you're watching him, enjoy it. He is enjoying it. He can enjoy his craft. If he wants to celebrate, that's fine."

In a new Beats by Dre ad, Newton calls out the critics:

"Just when I think I can't go anymore, I think about those who doubted me, and I do one more rep. I do one more pull-up. And if giving a kid a football just for a smile, or dancing after a touchdown hurts other people's feelings, then guess what? Too bad they don't make Band-Aids for feelings."

Newton was asked Wednesday why he thinks he's become more of a lightning rod than other athletes. Newton didn't mince words.

"I'm an African-American quarterback. That may scare a lot of people because they haven't seen nothing that they can compare me to," Newton said.

Yes, Newton is different. He gets it. There's no one else like him in the NFL with his type of talent.

"People should be scared of a quarterback with his skill set more so than anything else,'' Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday. "That's who he is. He's a tremendously gifted athlete, a terrific quarterback, a smart football player. I mean the list goes on and on. That's what they should be concerned about more so than anything else. ... I don't think he wants to be known as an African-American quarterback. I think he wants to be known as a quarterback, and a great one at that.''

Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes became the youngest Super Bowl MVP in history after the Chiefs defeated San Francisco 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV. The 24-year-old threw for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to overcome a 10-point deficit. Hide Caption 1 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Hide Caption 2 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl I (1967): Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr was named the Most Valuable Player of the first Super Bowl, which in January 1967 was just called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. Starr threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns as the Packers defeated Kansas City 35-10 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Hide Caption 3 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl II (1968): Starr repeated the feat one year later as the Packers won back-to-back titles. Starr had 202 yards passing and one touchdown as Green Bay blew out Oakland 33-14. Hide Caption 4 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl III (1969): The New York Jets came into Super Bowl III as 18-point underdogs, but quarterback Joe Namath famously guaranteed that his team would upset the Baltimore Colts. After Namath led the way to a 16-7 victory, he was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Hide Caption 5 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl IV (1970): The Kansas City Chiefs lost the first Super Bowl, but they made it count the second time around. Quarterback Len Dawson had 142 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 in New Orleans. It was the second straight year that the AFL champions had defeated the NFL champions, and by the next season the two leagues had merged. Hide Caption 6 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl V (1971): Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley intercepted two passes against the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V. Howley was named the game's MVP, but the Colts won the notoriously sloppy game with a Jim O'Brien field goal as time expired. To date, Howley remains the only player from a losing team to be named Super Bowl MVP. Hide Caption 7 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl VI (1972): Dallas atoned for its loss the next season, shutting down the Miami Dolphins 24-3. MVP quarterback Roger Staubach had two touchdown passes. Hide Caption 8 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl VII (1973): Miami safety Jake Scott intercepts a fourth-quarter pass in the end zone during the Dolphins' 14-7 win over Washington in Super Bowl VII. Scott had two interceptions in the game as the Dolphins finished their season with a perfect 17-0 record. They are still the only NFL team ever to finish a season undefeated. Hide Caption 9 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl VIII (1974): Powerful running back Larry Csonka carries two Minnesota defenders near the end zone as Miami won its second Super Bowl in a row. Csonka became the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP, rushing for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Hide Caption 10 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl IX (1975): Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris fights off Minnesota defender Paul Krause during Pittsburgh's 16-6 victory in Super Bowl IX. Harris ran for 158 yards and a touchdown on his way to winning MVP. Hide Caption 11 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl X (1976): This diving catch from Pittsburgh wide receiver Lynn Swann is one of the most iconic plays in Super Bowl history. Swann had a touchdown and 161 yards receiving as the Steelers defeated Dallas 21-17 to win their second straight Super Bowl. Swann was the first wide receiver to win MVP. Hide Caption 12 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XI (1977): Oakland Raiders wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff caught four passes for 79 yards to win MVP honors in Super Bowl XI. The Raiders won 32-14 over Minnesota, knocking the Vikings to 0-4 in Super Bowls. Hide Caption 13 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XII (1978): A dominating performance by Dallas' "Doomsday Defense" led to the first and only time that two players would share the Super Bowl MVP award. Defensive linemen Randy White, left, and Harvey Martin helped the Cowboys force eight turnovers and defeat Denver 27-10. Hide Caption 14 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XIII (1979): The Steelers and the Cowboys met for a Super Bowl rematch in 1979, and this game ended the same way as the one three years earlier -- with a Pittsburgh victory. This time, however, it was Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw who won MVP, throwing for 318 yards and four touchdowns as Pittsburgh edged Dallas 35-31. Hide Caption 15 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XIV (1980): Bradshaw led the way again in Super Bowl XIV, throwing for 309 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 31-19. It was the Steelers' fourth title in six years. Hide Caption 16 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XV (1981): Oakland quarterback Jim Plunkett makes a pass during the Raiders' 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981. Plunkett had 261 yards passing and three touchdowns on his way to winning MVP. Hide Caption 17 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XVI (1982): San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana evades a tackle en route to winning MVP honors in Super Bowl XVI. Montana threw for one touchdown in the game and ran for another as the 49ers won 26-21. Hide Caption 18 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XVII (1983): Washington running back John Riggins bursts through a hole during the Redskins' 27-17 victory over Miami in Super Bowl XVII. Riggins was named MVP after rushing for 166 yards and a touchdown. Hide Caption 19 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XVIII (1984): Washington was on the losing end one year later as MVP running back Marcus Allen exploded for 191 yards and two touchdowns. Allen's Raiders, who had recently moved from Oakland to Los Angeles, blew out the Redskins 38-9. Hide Caption 20 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XIX (1985): Three years after winning his first Super Bowl MVP award, Joe Montana was at it again as he led the 49ers to a 38-16 victory over Miami. This time, "Joe Cool" threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Hide Caption 21 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XX (1986): Chicago Bears defensive end Richard Dent (No. 95) sacks New England quarterback Steve Grogan during Super Bowl XX. Dent had two sacks and two forced fumbles as a devastating defense helped Chicago crush the Patriots 46-10. Hide Caption 22 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXI (1987): New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms had a performance for the ages in Super Bowl XXI, completing 22 of 25 passes as the Giants beat Denver 39-20. It remains a Super Bowl record for completion percentage. Simms also had 268 yards passing and three touchdowns. Hide Caption 23 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXII (1988): The Washington Redskins trailed 10-0 after a quarter of play at Super Bowl XXII, but quarterback Doug Williams threw four touchdowns in the second quarter and the rout was on. The Redskins rolled to a 42-10 victory, and Williams was named MVP after finishing with 340 passing yards. Hide Caption 24 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXIII (1989): San Francisco wide receiver Jerry Rice runs toward the goal line while playing Cincinnati in Super Bowl XXIII. Rice finished with 11 receptions for a Super Bowl-record 215 yards. Hide Caption 25 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXIV (1990): San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana raises his arms in celebration after a 49ers touchdown in Super Bowl XXIV. Montana had 297 yards passing and five touchdowns as the 49ers defeated Denver 55-10. It was the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history. Montana collected his third MVP award, and the 49ers capped a glorious run with four titles in nine years. Hide Caption 26 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXV (1991): Super Bowl XXV will likely always be remembered for Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood missing a field goal as time expired. But New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson won MVP in what was the closest Super Bowl ever. Anderson had 102 yards and a touchdown as the Giants prevailed 20-19. Hide Caption 27 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXVI (1992): The Washington Redskins won three Super Bowls in 10 years, and each came with a different starting quarterback. This time it was Mark Rypien, who was named MVP after throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns as the Redskins defeated Buffalo 37-24. Hide Caption 28 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXVII (1993): Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman had 273 yards and four touchdowns as the Cowboys won their first Super Bowl since 1978. Dallas trounced Buffalo 52-17, handing the Bills their third straight Super Bowl loss. Hide Caption 29 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXVIII (1994): Dallas running back Emmitt Smith scores against Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVIII. Smith rushed for 132 yards and three touchdowns as Dallas won 30-13 in a Super Bowl rematch from one year earlier. Hide Caption 30 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXIX (1995): After serving as Joe Montana's backup for several years, San Francisco quarterback Steve Young got his moment to shine in 1995. Young threw for a Super Bowl-record six touchdowns as the 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers 49-26. Hide Caption 31 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXX (1996): Dallas Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown is pushed out of bounds after one of his two interceptions in Super Bowl XXX. Brown's MVP efforts helped the Cowboys beat Pittsburgh 27-17 for their third championship in four years. Hide Caption 32 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXXI (1997): Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard jumps into a crowd of Green Bay Packers fans after the Packers defeated New England 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI. Howard had 244 all-purpose yards, including a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Hide Caption 33 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXXII (1998): Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis does his signature "Mile High Salute" after scoring a touchdown against Green Bay in Super Bowl XXXII. Davis rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns on his way to winning MVP. Hide Caption 34 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXXIII (1999): Denver quarterback John Elway smiles after scoring a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway was named MVP of the game, throwing for 336 yards as the Broncos won back-to-back titles with a 34-19 victory over Atlanta. It was Elway's last game before he retired. Hide Caption 35 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXXIV (2000): MVP quarterback Kurt Warner celebrates after leading the St. Louis Rams to a 23-16 victory over Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV. Warner threw for a Super Bowl-record 414 yards, leading an offense that had been nicknamed "The Greatest Show on Turf." Hide Caption 36 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXXV (2001): One year after a high-powered offense won the Super Bowl, it was a suffocating defense that won in 2001. MVP linebacker Ray Lewis set the tone for a Baltimore Ravens team that shut down the New York Giants en route to a 34-7 victory. Hide Caption 37 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXXVI (2002): A star was born in Super Bowl XXXVI as second-year quarterback Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to an upset victory over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. Brady threw for 145 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots won 20-17 on a last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Hide Caption 38 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXXVII (2003): Tampa Bay safety Dexter Jackson had two interceptions for a vaunted Buccaneers defense that led the way to a 48-21 victory over Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII. Hide Caption 39 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004): New England quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates with teammates after winning a second Super Bowl in three years. Brady was MVP again, throwing for 354 yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 32-29. Hide Caption 40 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XXXIX (2005): The Patriots became champions for the third time in four years as they defeated Philadelphia 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX. This time it was wide receiver Deion Branch who won MVP. He had 11 receptions for 133 yards. Hide Caption 41 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XL (2006): Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward struts into the end zone during the Steelers' 21-10 victory over Seattle. Ward had 123 yards on five catches as the Steelers won their first Super Bowl since 1980. Hide Caption 42 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XLI (2007): Quarterback Peyton Manning threw for 247 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI, leading the Indianapolis Colts to a 29-17 victory over Chicago. Hide Caption 43 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XLII (2008): Manning's brother Eli won MVP the next season, as his New York Giants upset the New England Patriots and ended their hopes of an undefeated season. Manning threw for two touchdowns as the Giants won 17-14. Hide Caption 44 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XLIII (2009): Pittsburgh wide receiver Santonio Holmes grabs the game-winning touchdown as the Steelers rallied late in the fourth quarter to beat Arizona 27-23 in Super Bowl XLIII. Holmes finished with nine catches for 131 yards. Hide Caption 45 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XLIV (2010): New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees raises his son Baylen after the Saints beat Indianapolis 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV. Brees completed 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Hide Caption 46 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XLV (2011): Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 304 passing yards and three touchdowns as the Green Bay Packers defeated Pittsburgh 31-25. Hide Caption 47 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XLVI (2012): Eli Manning did it to the Patriots again, as the New York Giants beat New England in a Super Bowl rematch from 2008. Manning had 296 yards passing this time as the Giants won 21-17. Hide Caption 48 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XLVII (2013): Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco fights off San Francisco linebacker Ahmad Brooks during Super Bowl XLVII, which the Ravens won 34-31. Flacco had 287 yards and three touchdowns in a game that was interrupted for 34 minutes because of a power outage. Hide Caption 49 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XLVIII (2014): Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith runs an interception back for a touchdown during Seattle's 43-8 drubbing of Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII. Smith and Seattle's "Legion of Boom" defense stifled Peyton Manning and Denver's No. 1-rated offense. Hide Caption 50 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl XLIX (2015): New England's Tom Brady pumps his fist after throwing one of his four touchdown passes in the Patriots' 28-24 victory over Seattle. Brady joined Joe Montana as the only players to win three Super Bowl MVPs. Hide Caption 51 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl 50 (2016): Denver linebacker Von Miller knocks the ball out of Cam Newton's hand during the Broncos' 24-10 victory over Carolina. Miller had two forced fumbles in the game. Both were deep in Carolina territory, and one was recovered by a teammate for a touchdown. Hide Caption 52 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl LI (2017): Tom Brady threw for a Super Bowl-record 466 yards as New England completed the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. The Patriots trailed Atlanta 28-3 in the third quarter but rallied to win in overtime. It was Brady's fourth MVP award -- an NFL record. Hide Caption 53 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl LII (2018): Nick Foles wasn't the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback for most of the season. But after Carson Wentz went down for the year with a knee injury, Foles stepped up and led the team to the title. He finished the playoff run by throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-33 victory over New England. He also caught a touchdown pass on a trick play. Hide Caption 54 of 55 Photos: Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl LIII (2019): New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was one of the few offensive bright spots in what was the lowest-scoring Super Bowl of all time. He caught 10 passes for 141 yards as the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 for their sixth Lombardi Trophy. Hide Caption 55 of 55

What about the nice stuff?

Even when the Panthers do something nice -- like giving footballs to young fans after scoring a touchdown -- they get scrutiny.

Am I only one who thinks handing ball to kids feels like a show for TV? I'm sure I'm about to get bombarded w/ a charity angle I don't know. — Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) January 25, 2016

Good grief. Let's just leave that one there.

What doesn't get as much attention is the Panthers' work off the field.

Newton's charity work is off the charts. The Cam Newton Foundation helps children with socioeconomic, educational, physical and emotional needs. On Thanksgiving, Newton fed more than 900 children. At Christmas, "Santa Cam" and teammates Derek Anderson and Joe Webb delivered gifts to different areas of Charlotte.

Newton also visited the families of the victims of the Charleston shooting at Emanuel AME Church last year. One of those family members was Chris Singleton, whose mother, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, was killed in the shooting. Newton invited Singleton and his family to the Panthers' final regular-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, who has a son who was born with a severe congenital heart defect, also has his own foundation. One of the causes is The Heartest Yard , which is a family service program that provides families that have babies affected with congenital heart disease access to in-home private nurse care and physical therapy.

Ron Rivera: 'Don't change'

So are the Carolina Panthers going to adjust their ways? Rivera hopes that answer is no.

Rivera, who was a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl-winning team, is no stranger to celebrations (remember the "Super Bowl Shuffle"?). Rivera said the day after winning the NFC Championship that he plans to share that previous experience with his players.

So as for dabbin', dancing and other celebrations? Rivera's fine with it. In fact, he doesn't want them to change a thing.

"Do what you've done,'' Rivera said January 25. "Don't change. Some of my experiences in coaching, you get to certain situations like the playoffs. Sometimes you get a little bit of, I don't want to say panic, but a little bit of self doubt. You say, 'Did I do enough? Do I need to do more? Should I change this?'

"I told our coordinators this morning, we're going to do what we do. We're going to stick to what got us to where we are today. We'll emphasize that with the players and making sure we keep our personality."

Guess the haters will just have to deal with it.