Cam Newton

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is under fire for saying America is “beyond racism”.

Newton made the controversial remarks in his cover interview for the latest edition of GQ magazine.

The 27-year-old father-of-one, who is dressed as fictional superhero Superman for the cover, discussed why he believes he is the most hated man in NFL football.

“It’s not racism,” Newton said. “Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion.”

In an interview before Super Bowl 50, Newton said, “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”

When asked about that previous comment, Newton told GQ, “I don’t want this to be about race, because it’s not. It’s not. Like, we’re beyond that. As a nation.”

Newton’s belief — that racism is no longer a problem in America — set off a tidal wave of outrage in black communities that are still reeling from police brutality.

Newton was dubbed “Fig Newton” by angry social media users, and his name was trending on Twitter.com on Monday.