Patriots radio broadcaster Scott Zolak apologizes for calling Cam Newton ‘distracted’ by rap music

Patriots radio analyst Scott Zolak apologized Sunday evening for saying Cam Newton looked “distracted” by the rap music played during a team practice earlier this week.

“I’d turn off the rap music, first of all, because I think it’s distracting for Cam here,” Zolak said Thursday during his midday talk show on 98.5 The Sports Hub. “Because in between every throw, he’s dancing. He can’t help himself, to where Mac [Jones] looks like he came to work again. Like, he’s here to work. And everything’s attention to detail. It’s nothing different.”

Zolak later described Newton as “jacking around” during practice. His comments went viral on social media Friday, when comparisons were drawn to an old video of Tom Brady dancing to rap music during a Patriots practice, which went without scrutiny.

Zolak, a former Patriots quarterback, expressed his remorse during Sunday’s pregame show on 98.5 The Sports Hub and said he met with Newton that morning to apologize in person. Since signing with the Patriots in July 2020, Newton has danced in virtually every practice and been praised by teammates and coaches as one of the hardest-working members of the organization, a player whose energy and leadership are prized in the locker room. Newton was voted a team captain last season.

“That’s something I know that’s drawn attention for being racially insensitive. I’m sorry for that comment, I didn’t need to make that comment. I should not even ever bring any sort of music into play, because I have no clue what’s going on in a player’s head,” Zolak said Sunday, as transcribed by NESN.com. “It’s been a rough last couple days here, and I wanted to do this on air. It’s the first time I’ve been on air since Thursday.”

Zolak later added: “I wanted to talk to him before I talked about this, to let him know. I got a chance to talk to him, and Cam’s nothing but class. Great guy. He handled it perfect. I mean, that’s between me and him. So that’s where I stand by it.”

Entering Sunday, Newton was 12-for-16 for 152 yards with one touchdown, no interceptions and a 125.0 passer rating this preseason.

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