Since the Carolina Panthers are going to the Super Bowl, our celebrated quarterback is getting more and more attention. I’ve been marginally quiet about all the Cam haters out there. At first, I attributed it to bandwagon behavior and sour grapes. But the truth is: I don’t understand it.

After the NFC championship win, thousands of social media posts called Cam Newton a “thug.” The week before, he’d dropped the F-bomb on network television. But before that?

Wait; what does thug even mean?

My first recollection of the word thug is Tupac Shakur’s use in the late ‘90s to describe a lifestyle (And I’m no poser—that’s my extent.). So, I took to Urban Dictionary* for a review.

According to its top definition (which even credits the late rapper), a thug is “someone going through struggles, has gone through struggles, and continues to live [only] day by day….” Struggles? Everybody’s got ‘em. Nothing standing out here. But because the posts I’ve seen are undeniably derogatory, I don’t think most haters mean this thug.

Apparently, the original use of thug is attributed to 19th century Indians, who were notorious, indeed. For robbing and killing. Also, a thug is a follower, not a leader. Follower? Um, no. Is your husband’s (boyfriend’s or son’s) closet filled with cigarette pants, velvet loafers, and fitted cashmere?

It also says that the word gangsta is not a synonym for thug. “Gangstaness” describes someone popular for illegal activities, particularly murder. Despite the score, what the Panthers did to the Arizona Cardinals isn’t gangsta. One contributor says a gangsta is, “a sociopathic member of the inner-city underclass, known primarily for being antisocial and uneducated…[with] access to illegal drugs and weapons, and staggeringly poor marksmanship.”

Poor marksmanship? Nope. This year, Cam averaged 239.8 yards passing and 39.8 yards rushing per game.

Uneducated? Nope. He has a degree in sociology from Auburn.

Antisocial? Sociopath? Definitely not. And have I missed an arrest, tirade, or any remotely questionable video somewhere? Nope. Not even incredible reports from uptown clubs. Just videos of him giving a Wounded Warrior the literal shirt off his back, children presents from Santa Cam, and Harding High School athletes funds to improve their workout facility, are among his deeds.

Even though tweets aren’t literally calling Cam a “gangsta,” I do think those posts are using the words interchangeably. Incorrectly. And for the record, they’re wrong.

In a January 27 press conference, Cam said he’s the same person he’s always been. However, my own Twitter feed history will show that I found him to be easily discouraged in his first few seasons as a Panther. I was always leery of his chin dropping and solo bench sitting. Then, a towel covering his head shaded him from all the cameras zoomed his way. Today, Cam’s towel is fashionably tucked within his jersey’s neckline. He’s no longer hiding.

He’s been called a narcissist for dancing after big plays. If you follow him at all, you know that Cam Newton shares that glory with—even attributes it to—his teammates. He’s not chest-bumping himself out there. Last week, when Luke Kuechly scored on an interception, making the score 48-15, who leaped onto his back in the end zone? From where did Superman even come? Fans are eating him up, and in some kind of symbiotic relationship, it feeds him.

Like him or not, Cam’s a leader. And not just because he gives children footballs after every touchdown. His head coach, who’s got as much on the line as anyone next week, turned over the championship halftime locker-room talk to the 26-year-old. In his first year at Carolina, Cam was a starter! Baptism by fire. With captains such as veteran Steve Smith, even a quarterback knows his place. Still, Cam became instantly known as a passer—something we at Carolina were starving for—and was one of only three Panthers named to the Pro Bowl that year (Remember, in 2010, we were 2-14, which gave us the opportunity to nab the future dabber as a first-round draft pick.). Even if he won’t say so, Cam’s come a long way.

Honestly, his goofing around is refreshing. It’s football, not rocket science. He’s not careless (though I would like to see him slide more than dive), and he’s not unapproachably arrogant. And he’s going to the Super Bowl, while raining down positive energy onto the Carolinas. He’s happy. None of those things are listed in the definitions I read.

*Urban Dictionary is not for the faint of heart. Suffice it to say, if you were ready to denounce the entire Panthers organization because of a slipped F-bomb, do not—I repeat, do not—check out Urban Dictionary, .com or the book.