‘It’s not about me,’ Cam Newton says in first remarks since return to Panthers
Cam Newton rode into practice on Friday sitting in the front passenger seat of a golf cart accompanied by a Panthers staffer and teammates Robby Anderson and DJ Moore chilling behind him.
The Carolina Panthers’ all-time leader in wins (68), passing yards (29,041), rushing touchdowns (58) and passing touchdowns (182) was back in Charlotte after signing a one-year deal worth up to $10 million and $4.5 million guaranteed on Thursday.
Newton flashed his signature smile as he arrived at the Panthers’ walk-through Friday morning. Once practice began, Newton worked one-on-one with quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan during the portion of workouts open to the media.
All this was a prelude to Newton’s first press conference, which the Panthers conducted virtually Friday afternoon. Once he took the podium, Newton set his focus on the future and spoke passionately about his dedication to pushing the Panthers (4-5) to playoffs.
“I’m still floating,” Newton said about rejoining the Panthers. “I feel like I’m going to say this a lot: It’s not about me. It’s about being an additional piece to this team, and that’s the way I plan on keeping it.”
Newton spoke for about 30 minutes detailing his evolution on and off the field since the Panthers cut him in the 2020 offseason. It didn’t sound like the same old Superman. His confidence, charm and banter all flashed, but he spoke with a careful scope on his new situation.
“I’m in a good place. And not only a good place before this, I’m even in a better place now. I feel like I’m home. I know I’m home,” Newton said. “I feel so much gratitude. Not to say I didn’t have gratitude before, but this time it hit different. I want to be present. I’ve said that, talking to so many different people, I want to be so present, that I haven’t even had an opportunity to look at my phone.”
Being back where he won the 2015 NFL MVP and led Carolina to a Super Bowl feels fitting. His nine years with the Panthers made him a legend. Charlotte is where Newton’s professional journey started. Perhaps it ends here, too.
His focus is on the field, but Newton spoke Friday about finding structure in his life away from the game. He is a full-time father and balanced those responsibilities with staying mentally and physically sharp. Fasting and attending church helped him look inward.
“I felt like Moses — when you go to the desert, when you go in that place of isolation,” Newton said. “It’s just you, and God and your circumstance. And it’s not for you to question. It’s not for you to be angry. It’s just for you to just trust. And that’s what I did.”
In part, trust brought him home after he spent a year in New England with the Patriots. Newton threw for 2,657 yards and totaled 20 touchdowns there, but coach Bill Belichick cut him in August. Newton has been looking for an ideal situation ever since.
“My mental going into this type of situation is to bring the pride back to Carolina in ways that I know how and others know how to,” Newton said. “It’s just making sure that we maximize each and every day.”
The Panthers were in need of a quarterback. Thus, a reunion made sense. When coach Matt Rhule dialed Newton on Tuesday evening, he initially missed the call.
“I see ‘Matthew Rhule, Missed Call’ and said ‘What in the world?’ “ Newton said. “We talked and it was very exhilarating to hear his voice.”
Newton arriving in Carolina transpired over a 36-hour period between Tuesday evening and Thursday morning. The Panthers decided to reach out to Newton after further testing on Sam Darnold’s shoulder revealed he would be out four to six weeks. Darnold was placed on injured reserve Friday.
Rhule called Newton on Tuesday night to gauge Newton’s interest in joining the Panthers. He was emphatically interested.
“It was a no-brainer and obviously there’s the added dimension about the familiarity here,” Newton said. “You know why I’m here. ... This ain’t for no Cinderella story — it’s to win football games.”
The Panthers do not expect Newton to play on Sunday against the Cardinals (8-1). However, Newton will travel to Arizona and Rhule did not rule out the possibility of the QB getting into the game at some point. If active, the Panthers would carry three quarterbacks — starter P.J. Walker, Matt Barkley and Newton.
After Arizona, Carolina will hand starting quarterback duties over to Newton. That’s why they brought him back.
Carolina feels they have an opportunity to win now. Their defense ranks second in several key categories and features stars at all three levels. Sure, the Panthers are building something, but for the most part their defense has arrived. Though the offense lags behind, Newton could offset a struggling offensive line while uplifting the playmakers around him.
“They started on fire for a reason. And it wasn’t just by one person. They started on fire because it was a collective group of great football being played,” Newton said of the Panthers’ 3-0 start. “Moving forward, you know, it’s just all about accountability and performance. So the roster speaks for ourselves.”
This past offseason Moore worked out with Newton in Atlanta. Moore said Newton appeared in great shape, still throwing the ball how he remembered during his 2019 rookie season. The two played only two regular-season games together, but Newton has been following his growth.
“When I left him he was Simba. I wouldn’t say he is Mufasa now because that still belongs to me,” Newton said with a laugh in reference to “The Lion King.” “For him, it’s great he’s playing with that confidence. He’s feeling himself in a good way, and I want him to feel himself even more.”
As Newton concluded his press conference Friday, it was clear the past was behind him. He acknowledged he and the organization ironed things out. It’s time to move on and look ahead. Before walking off, Newton let out a parting message.
“Without further ado,” Newton said, “I will say something I’ve been waiting to say for a long time: Keep pounding.”
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 1:55 PM.
