PITTSBURGH, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- It's a little easier to trash talk an opponent whom you will never, technically, compete against.
On Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert called out Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. Newton, who missed time this season following a concussion, said that there are times when he "doesn't even feel safe" on the football field.
"It's really taking the fun out of the game for me," Newton told reporters Sunday after the Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals. "At times I don't even feel safe. And enough is enough. I plan on talking to commissioner (Roger) Goodell about this. And I don't know what I have to do."
Gilbert isn't feeling sorry for Newton, in fact he said Newton's playing style and accolades give opponents motivation to go after him on the field.
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"Ben [Roethlisberger] gets hit more than anybody in the league, and he never complains. C'mon, man. This is the game of football," Gilbert told ESPN. "If you're out there and you're scared to take a shot, then don't be out there, especially if you're a running quarterback. [Defenses] are going to take shots at you. Just the way, his style of playing football, how he celebrates, I guess he gives the guys a chip, like let's go hit the reigning NFL MVP."
Newton was hit low again this weekend by Cardinals defense tackle Calais Campbell, hence his proactive approach for future protection from the league.
"When he's running over people, he's going to stand right up and he's going to celebrate," Gilbert told ESPN. "This is the game of football. I'm sure there are cornerbacks or linebackers, whoever he's running over, the safeties, they aren't complaining about getting run over or getting crowned, facemask to facemask with the quarterback from a guy his size. Of course, guys are going to take shots ... I don't think anybody is trying to purposefully hurt him, but you're going to get those extra hits, especially against such a great player."
The Panthers don't play the Steelers this season and since Newton and Gilbert both play offensive positions, the duo will likely never face each other on a football field. Newton will suit up at 4:05 p.m. next Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Gilbert's Steelers kickoff at 1 p.m. against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP, has completed 118-of-207 passes, for 1,508 yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions this season. He also has 191 rushing yards, three rushing scores, and a 2-4 record as a starter in 2016.
