Former Carolina star quarterback Cam Newton doubled down on latest feedback that the Panthers had “a locker room of losers” earlier than drafting him with the primary general decide in 2011, saying his remarks had been “aggressive” however “true.”
Newton stated throughout Thursday’s “4th and 1 with Cam Newton” podcast that he was referring to the workforce’s efficiency as an entire and never particular person gamers.
“When did we develop into so delicate?” Newton stated. “When did we develop into so delicate to essentially talking what the fact is? A locker room stuffed with losers? Aggressive, however it’s true.”
A number of former teammates, together with star broad receiver Steve Smith Sr., took exception to feedback Newton made throughout an look on a podcast with Colorado broad receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter main as much as the Tremendous Bowl. He spoke in regards to the stress Hunter would possibly face if he’s drafted with the No. 1 decide.
Newton instructed Hunter he has “no manner of impacting the sport the best way a quarterback does” and added: “I went right into a locker room of losers. Simply sincere. Guys did not know tips on how to win; guys did not know tips on how to put together. They did not take themselves severe to appreciate we was 2-14. There was quite a lot of 2-14 within the mentality of these guys.”
These feedback did not sit nicely with Smith, the most efficient receiver ever to put on a Panthers uniform and certainly one of 15 finalists for the 2025 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. A member of that 2010 workforce, he made his emotions clear by a number of posts on X.
“53 man locker room — 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking information to 89,” Smith posted together with an angry-face emoji.
Newton stated he has “no quarrel” with Smith and understands why he took exception. However he wasn’t backing down.
“I am not particularly speaking about these guys,” Newton stated on his podcast. “I am speaking in regards to the tradition that was there previous to me coming into the locker room — and it was a losers’ mentality.”
Newton stated the Panthers nonetheless had it his first two seasons after they went 6-10 and 7-9. He additionally stated he wanted to discover ways to win within the NFL.
Issues began to come back collectively in 2013, when Carolina went 12-4 earlier than dropping to the San Francisco 49ers within the divisional spherical. The 2015 workforce went 15-1 and made the Tremendous Bowl, with Newton profitable league MVP honors that season.
“Is it me saying that, ‘Oh after I got here, I made the whole lot [better]?'” he stated. “No. I by no means stated that. What I stated was if you happen to’re getting drafted No. 1, you are going to a foul soccer workforce. That is details. And that is the purpose that I used to be making an attempt to inform Travis Hunter. You see what I am saying? For me, everyone is so stunned, like, ‘Oh, Cam stated this.’ Bro, it is the reality. It is the reality.”
