In many respects, being a 6-foot-5, 245-pound elite athlete has it benefits. You can play in the NFL. You get to be famous. You have a ton of money. That’s all cool, but sitting in airplanes — particularly in coach — will never be comfortable.
Cam Newton knows that.
A video hit Twitter this weekend showing the Panthers quarterback onboard a flight to Paris — a 10-hour flight. Newton, who obviously values his legroom and comfort, went up to a passenger seated in a spot with extra legroom and offered $1,500 on the spot to switch seats with him.
To the surprise of Newton, that offer was turned down. He had to disappointedly make his way back to his aisle seat with limited legroom.
I have so many thoughts on this, but I do know that there was no way I’m turning down that offer. Newton was essentially offering to pick up the cost of this guy’s roundtrip flight just for a few more inches of legroom. As someone standing at 5-foot-10, that’s an easy decision and easy money.
I don’t think this passenger thought that one through — I mean, at least negotiate with Newton. Maybe you’d switch for $2,000? That’s such a missed opportunity.
Despite the limited legroom, Newton made it to Paris just fine. He hung out with Russell Westbrook.
So, there was that.
