Cam Newton, who spent the vast majority of his 11-year NFL profession with the Carolina Panthers, isn’t backing down from his latest criticism of his former teammates.
Newton was the primary general choice within the 2011 NFL Draft and stated when he arrived in Carolina he entered a locker room of “losers.”
The 2015 NFL MVP acknowledged his remarks had been “aggressive,” however he remained steadfast in his place that they had been “true.”
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Cam Newton at Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Tremendous Bowl social gathering at Marquee Dayclub Las Vegas at The Cosmopolitan Feb. 10, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Christopher Polk/Billboard through Getty Photographs)
“When did we become so sensitive,” the previous NFL star stated this week through the “4th&1 with Cam Newton” podcast. “When did we become so sensitive to really speaking what the reality is? A locker room full of losers? Aggressive, but it’s true.”
STEVE SMITH SR. FIRES BACK AT CAM NEWTON FOR CALLING PANTHERS ‘LOSERS’
The three-time Professional Bowl quarterback made the preliminary feedback throughout an interview with Colorado soccer star Travis Hunter.
Newton advised Hunter he has “no way of impacting the game the way a quarterback does.”
“I went into a locker room of losers,” Newton stated. “Just honest. Guys didn’t know how to win, guys didn’t know how to prepare. They didn’t take themselves serious to realize we was 2-14. There was a lot of 2-14 in the mentality of those guys.”
Hunter, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is projected to be one of many first gamers chosen in April’s draft. Newton was providing Hunter some perception into the stress the two-way participant may face if he turns into this yr’s No. 1 decide.
One among Newton’s former teammates, Steve Smith, took exception to the quarterback’s feedback.
“53 man locker room – 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking news to 89,” Smith wrote on X with an indignant emoji.
The Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith, left, and Cam Newton share fun through the first half of an NFL preseason recreation towards the Pittsburgh Steelers Aug. 29, 2013, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photograph/Mike McCarn, File)
A number of hours later, Smith posted, “I’ve watched & listened from a far as U @CameronNewton talk about @Panthers! None of us are perfect. Yes We were 2-14 before you blessed us w ur presence. The way you have talked about @panthers lately I’m very disappointed. I wish u nothing but the very best. I’m done!!!”
Smith performed for the Panthers from 2001-13 and is the best receiver to put on a Panthers uniform. He’s additionally a finalist for the 2025 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
Newton stated he has “no quarrel” with Smith and understands why he had a difficulty with the remarks. Newton did make clear that he was referencing the Panthers’ efficiency as an entire and never particular person gamers when he made the unique feedback.
“I’m not specifically talking about those guys,” Newton stated. “I’m talking about the culture that was there prior to me coming into the locker room. And it was a losers’ mentality.”
Cam Newton (1) of the Carolina Panthers drops again to cross through the fourth quarter of a recreation towards the Atlanta Falcons at Financial institution of America Stadium Dec. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (Lance King/Getty Photographs)
Newton stated the Panthers nonetheless had it his first two seasons after they went 6-10 and 7-9.
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Issues began to return collectively in 2013, when Carolina went 12-4 earlier than shedding to the San Francisco 49ers within the playoffs. The 2015 staff went 15-1 and earned a spot within the Tremendous Bowl. Carolina got here up brief in that recreation, shedding 24-10 to the Denver Broncos.
“Is it me saying that, ‘Oh when I came, I made everything (better)?’” he stated. “No. I never said that. What I said was, ‘If you’re getting drafted No. 1, you’re going to a bad football team.’ That’s facts. And that’s the point that I was trying to tell Travis Hunter.
“You see what I’m saying? For me, all people is so greatly surprised, like, ‘Oh, Cam said this.’ Bro, it’s the reality. It’s the reality.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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