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 total decide in 2011, saying his remarks had been “aggressive” however “true.”
Newton mentioned 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 turn into so delicate?” Newton mentioned. “When did we turn 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 extensive receiver Steve Smith Sr., took exception to feedback Newton made throughout an look on a podcast with Colorado extensive receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter main as much as the Tremendous Bowl. He spoke in regards to the strain Hunter would possibly face if he’s drafted with the No. 1 decide.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Newton instructed 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 trustworthy. Guys did not know methods to win; guys did not know methods to put together. They did not take themselves severe to understand 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 best receiver ever to put on a Panthers uniform and considered one of 15 finalists for the 2025 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. A member of that 2010 workforce, he made his emotions clear by way of 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 mentioned 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 mentioned 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 mentioned the Panthers nonetheless had it his first two seasons after they went 6-10 and 7-9. He additionally mentioned he wanted to discover ways to win within the NFL.
Issues began to return 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 successful league MVP honors that season.
“Is it me saying that, ‘Oh after I got here, I made every thing [better]?'” he mentioned. “No. I by no means mentioned that. What I mentioned was when you’re getting drafted No. 1, you are going to a foul soccer workforce. 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, all people is so bowled over, like, ‘Oh, Cam mentioned this.’ Bro, it is the reality. It is the reality.”
