'The world doesn't revolve around you, boy': Retired NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski accused of racism over tweet criticizing sore loser Cam Newton's post-Super Bowl tantrum

A former NFL linebacker has been called a racist for the critical tweet he published about Cam Newton following the Super Bowl on Sunday. 

Twenty-six-year-old Newton, one of only a handful of black starting quarterbacks in the NFL, gave a moody press conference following the Carolina Panthers unexpected loss to the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl 50. 

He has since been called a 'sore loser' and his behavior un-sportsman like, but it was a tweet from former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski, 49, that many say crossed a line. 

Too much? Former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski has been accused of being a racist over a tweet he wrote about Cam Newton on Sunday 

Critical: The above tweet, which has since been deleted, was critical of Cam Newton's moody press conference after losing the Super Bowl

After the emotional display at the post-game press conference, Romanowski wrote of Newton: 'You will never last a minute in the NFL with that attitude. The world doesn't revolve around you, boy!'  

Many people have since spoken out to criticize Romanowski, believing his tweet was racially motivated.

At first, Romanowski tried to explain the comment, saying: 'Calm down everyone! I meant he needs to grow up!'

But eventually, he deleted the first tweet altogether. 

Upset: Cam Newton stormed out of a press conference on Sunday after leading the Carolina Panthers to an unexpected 24-10 loss at Super Bowl 50

Emotional: Newton, who was named season MVP on Saturday, looked incredibly uncomfortable at the post-match interview, mumbling his way through several one-word answers

Walk out: Pressured on how the team was taking the loss after saying they felt like a 'band of brothers' coming into the game, Newton sat silently for a few moments before walking away

During his 15-year career in the league, Romanowski got into trouble for his violent actions both on and off the field including the time he spit in the face of San Francisco 49ers receive JJ Stokes and how he once punched his own teammate in the face during practice, bringing the player's career to an early end. 

Romanowski was even accused by his own teammates of being racist and this isn't the first time he has expressed a strange contempt for Newton.

In a February 3 interview, when asked what player he would most like to sack - Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning or Newton - he took aim at Newton. 

'Cam Newton. Are you kidding me?' Romanowski responded. 'I’d hit him as hard as I possibly could and probably at the bottom of the pile, I’d try to get him by the neck and choke him.' 

The press conference that sparked Romanowski's ire happened right after the game, when Newton was still grappling with the unexpected loss.   

Grilled over how disappointing it was to walk away second place having been widely tipped as favorites, Newton managed a single complete answer before resorting to one-word responses.

Pushed on how the team was taking the defeat, the 26-year-old sat stony-faced for a few moments before silently getting up and walking out of the press conference.

His sulky display followed a series of on-field tantrums after it became clear the Panthers were heading for a loss.

One came early in the fourth quarter when Newton found himself taking a big hit inside his own end zone after throwing the ball away under pressure from a rampant Broncos defensive unit.

After tumbling to the floor he looked at match officials hoping for a 'roughing the passer' call, and when he didn't get it he threw himself around, before storming off with his teeth gritted.

The next sulk came towards the end of the fourth when the Broncos managed to sack Newton for the seventh time during the game, stripping the ball from his hand.

Manning's team collected the ball within the 5-yard line, and moments later were celebrating their second touchdown of the game - both of which came after strip-sacks.

One man not celebrating, however, was Newton who was captured standing on the sidelines before collapsing backwards on to the turf, knowing he had lost.

To top it all off, Newton was trolled by Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib after the game.

Snatched: While Peyton Manning will receive most of the attention this evening, it was a rampant Broncos defense that won the game - sacking Newton seven times, two of which led to touchdowns

Negative: Despite the Panthers trailing for the entire game, Newton's spirits seemed unshakable in the first half, but as the second half wore in he became more and more dejected

Fumble: Newton, 1, loses the ball after being sacked by Denver Broncos' Von Miller, 58, before the ball was recovered for a Denver touchdown in the first period during the NFL's Super Bowl 50 football game

Dissappointing: Newton holds his head low as he walks to the sideline during the second half of the Super Bowl on Sunday

Sportsmanship: Newton did at least pull himself together to congratulate Peyton Manning on winning his second Super Bowl at the end of the game 

Making reference to the quarterback's nickname, Talib quipped: 'There ain't no Easter Bunny, there ain't no Santa Claus, there ain't no Superman.'

Manning, on the other hand, told NBC's Today show on Monday morning that Newton displayed great humility when they came together at the end.

'Cam couldn't have been nicer to me. He was extremely humble,' Manning said.

The Panthers' 14-point loss marks a remarkable upset in a near-perfect season that saw them go 15-1 in regular games before beating the Seahawks and cruising past the Arizona Cardinals with a record-breaking Championship score.

It also marks a huge disappointment for Newton just a day after he was named NFL Most Valuable Player by a landslide vote.

A nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the league were asked to name the recipient of the award, with 48 voting for Newton.

Accepting the award, he said: 'It means so much, but not just for myself. To be the first person in Panthers history to win it - that's what I'm most proud about.

'I've received a lot of awards, but to be able to get this organization here, I'm really proud. We didn't get in this position by happenstance.

'It took years of hard work and dedication, and now we are reaping the benefits.'

Meanwhile Peyton Manning is living his Super Bowl dream after clinching the title for the second time in history despite being the oldest quarterback in the NFL.

The Broncos also extended one of modern NFL's biggest superstitions after winning while wearing white jerseys.

As the designated 'home' team, the Broncos were allowed to opt for their choice of color and picked white, which 10 of the last 11 Super Bowl winners have worn.

Thanks to their victory, that statistic has now been extended to 11 of the last 12.