Cam Newton, who spent most of his 11-year-old NFL career with Carolina Panthers, does not support her recent criticism of her former teammates.
Newton was the first total selection of the NFL draft in 2011 and said when he arrived in Carolina, he went into a dressing room with “losers.”
NFL MVP 2015 acknowledged that his remarks were “aggressive,” but he remained steadfast in his position that they were “true.”
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Cam Newton by Michael Rubin’s fanatics Super Bowl party at Marquee Dayclub Las Vegas on the cosmopolitan 10 February 2024 in Las Vegas. (Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
“When did we become so sensitive,” said the former NFL star this week under the podcast “4th and 1 with Cam Newton”. “When did we become so sensitive to really talking what reality is? A dressing room full of losers? Aggressive, but it’s true.”
Steve Smith Sr. Fire back on Cam Newton to call Panthers ‘Losers’
The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback made the first comments during an interview with the Colorado Football Star Travis Hunter.
Newton told Hunter he has no “any way of influencing the game, as a quarterback does.”
“I went into a dressing room with losers,” Newton said. “Just honest. The guys didn’t know how to win, guys didn’t know how to prepare. They didn’t seriously realize that we were 2-14. There were a lot of 2-14 in the mentality of Them guys.
Hunter, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is expected to be one of the first players to be selected in April’s draft. Newton offered Hunter some insight into the pressure that the two-way player could meet if he becomes this year’s # 1 election.
One of Newton’s former teammates, Steve Smith, exempted Quarterback’s comments.
“53 man dressing room – 1 = 52 losers. Wow … news breaks to 89,” Smith wrote on x with an angry emoji.
Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith, Left, and Cam Newton shares a laugh during the first half of a NFL’s Season match against Pittsburgh Steelers August 29, 2013 in Charlotte, NC (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)
A few hours later Smith posted, “I’ve seen and listened from a long as u @cameronnewton talk about @panthers! None of us are perfect. Yes we were 2-14 before you blessed with presence. That way , you’ve talked about @panthers recently I’m very disappointed.
Smith played for Panthers from 2001-13 and is the most productive recipient to carry a Panthers uniform. He is also a finalist for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Newton said he has “no krangel” with Smith and understands why he had a problem with the comments. Newton clarified that he was referring to Panthers’ performance as a whole and not individual players as he made the original comments.
“I’m not specifically talking about these guys,” Newton said. “I’m talking about the culture that was there before I got into the dressing room. And it was a loser’s mentality.”
Cam Newton (1) from Carolina Panthers fall back to pass over the fourth quarter of a game against Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium 12 December 2021 in Charlotte, NC (Lance King/Getty Images)
Newton said Panthers still had it its first two seasons as they walked 6-10 and 7-9.
Things started getting together in 2013 when Carolina went 12-4 before losing to San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. The 2015 team went 15-1 and earned a seat in the Super Bowl. Carolina came up briefly in that game and lost 24-10 to the Denver Broncos.
“Does it say me,” oh when I came, I did everything (better)? “” He said. “No. I never said that. What I said was, ‘If you become a draft of # 1, you are going to a bad football team.’ It’s facts.
“Do you see what I say? To me everyone is so surprised as ‘Oh, Cam said this.’ Bro, that’s the truth.
