Ja Morant has been the center of speculation in the final weeks of the NBA season. After serving a 25-game suspension to start the 2023–24 campaign — punishment tied to social media posts involving guns — it looked like the Grizzlies star had finally turned a corner.
But then the celebrations started. What began as finger-gun gestures evolved into mimicking rifles, grenades, and more. While the league cracked down, one former NFL MVP thinks Morant’s antics are more dumb than dangerous.
Cam Newton Shreds Ja Morant for Viral Celebrations
In a regular-season game against the Golden State Warriors, Morant broke out the finger-gun celebration, aimed at players like Buddy Hield. That earned him a $75,000 fine. Instead of backing off, Morant leaned into his “villain” persona.
Another fine, this time after facing the Miami Heat, led the superstar point guard to fire back. He told reporters, “I’ve pretty much been a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if someone can say something negative about me, it’s going to be out there. Yeah, I don’t care anymore.”
However, former NFL superstar Cam Newton was having none of it. “Whether you do it or not, Ja, people are going to respect you. There’s a difference between being a villain and just being stupid.” He drew comparisons to his own sport to make his point.
“Certain gestures — the NFL just banned the slime because it’s gang-related activity — so that will not villanize you more than that’s just stupid.”
And that was coming from someone who is a fan of Morant the player. “I respect Ja. I respect everything that he stands for. I love the way he plays.”
“I think that there are times in that athlete’s mind where, on one hand, I can say that’s stupid. But on the other hand, if that channels something in you where you don’t care [that] it sounds stupid, then that’s where you got to go.”
However, he still doesn’t think it excuses the two-time All-Star’s behavior. “Do I condone it? Absolutely not. But for him, I think he’s in this phase of like, ‘Bro, I’m a villain in a way.’ I wouldn’t say you’re a villain. I wouldn’t say Ja Morant is a villain.”
For him, trying to mimic that side, especially with the gun gestures, was something that Morant didn’t need to do. Instead, Newton offered a different suggestion. “Kobe [Bryant] tapped into the black mamba, that was his alter ego.
“All I would challenge Ja to do is channel a different side that’s not insinuating something bad. Because if you could do that, then it’s free game.”
As someone who dealt with public scrutiny himself, Newton understands how reputations form. Early in his NFL career, he was even asked to change his hairstyle to appear more “professional.” Eventually, he returned to his authentic self, but the label stuck for a while. For Morant, there’s still time to flip the narrative. But the clock is ticking.