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 choose in 2011, saying his remarks have been “aggressive” however “true.”
Newton stated throughout Thursday’s “4th and 1 with Cam Newton” podcast that he was referring to the crew’s efficiency as a complete and never particular person gamers.
“When did we turn into so delicate?” Newton stated. “When did we turn into so delicate to essentially talking what the truth is? A locker room stuffed with losers? Aggressive, but it surely’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 concerning the strain Hunter would possibly face if he’s drafted with the No. 1 choose.
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Newton informed Hunter he has “no manner of impacting the sport the way in which a quarterback does” and added: “I went right into a locker room of losers. Simply sincere. Guys did not know the way to win; guys did not know the way to put together. They did not take themselves critical to appreciate we was 2-14. There was a number of 2-14 within the mentality of these guys.”
These feedback did not sit nicely with Smith, the best receiver ever to put on a Panthers uniform and one among 15 finalists for the 2025 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. A member of that 2010 crew, 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 concerning 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 learn to win within the NFL.
Issues began to come back collectively in 2013, when Carolina went 12-4 earlier than shedding to the San Francisco 49ers within the divisional spherical. The 2015 crew 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 every part [better]?'” he stated. “No. I by no means stated that. What I stated was when you’re getting drafted No. 1, you are going to a foul soccer crew. That is information. And that is the purpose that I used to be attempting 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.”
