Some lead with inspiring speeches. Others do it quietly by example. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is leading this week by putting on a show.Even though he’s mugged for reporters like usual, he hasn’t done it for outside attention. He’s done it for his teammates.Newton, who for more than three years now has been called egotistical and immature, is currently pulling off one of his most unselfish acts as a football player. He’s behaving like everything is ok.But it’s not.As BBR reported Thursday afternoon, Newton is unlikely to play in Carolina’s season opener Sunday at Tampa Bay. His cracked ribs are too sore to allow him to be himself, and Derek Anderson is a solid backup who can give the Panthers a chance to win.Going all the way back through grade school, Newton’s never missed a game. So this has to be one of the toughest weeks of his life.Yet on Wednesday, he danced. On Thursday, he playfully hid from cameras. On both days, he sang loudly and screamed nicknames of teammates.When things don’t go Newton’s way, it’s usually obvious. At least, that was the case his first season and a half when even head coach Ron Rivera referred to his quarterback as “Mr. Mopeyhead.”But one of Newton’s most revealing comments on Thursday came seconds after he compared himself to an “old faithful car” while expressing his frustrations. Since it was an entertaining analogy, what he said afterward was easily missed. But it deserves to be highlighted.”When I’m in here, I’m trying to think positive. I will think positive. And moving forward, I can’t have any type of negative thoughts lingering because it will show,” Newton said. “I’ve got to show to my teammates that I am here for them. If I’m out there on the field, I’m there for them. If I’m not there, I’m still there for them. By no means am I going to be any type of distraction for these guys.”So on Friday, Newton may dance again. He’ll likely sing. It won’t be a good gauge of how he truly feels, but it will be a man doing what he can to lead others.