Cam Newton reflects on ‘disheartening’ Super Bowl criticism over fumbled ball
Cam Newton played ten seasons with the Carolina Panthers, earning one NFL MVP and a Super Bowl berth in 2015.
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Cam Newton (Images via Imago/Business Insider)
In the NFL, the coveted Lombardi Trophy is a dream that a selected few get to touch. The Carolina Panthers came close, more or less Cam Newton had a great opportunity to seize the win back in Super Bowl 50.
Instead of diving in on the fumble to recover, the Panthers player opted not to. In the heat of the aftermath of the game, Cam Newton didn’t admit that he could have done something. He acknowledged the mistake as something that didn’t eventually end up losing the game for the Panthers. However, since, Newton has changed his stance on the topic, opening up to iterate that he should have jumped no matter what.
In a recent appearance on the First Take, Cam Newton revisited the incident while talking about the Indianapolis Colts benching Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco following an eventful week. Newton admitted that he still has to take the burden of fans vilifying him for an event that took place almost eight years ago.
If I had known what I know now, I would have torn every ligament in my leg trying to jump on that doggone fumble, knowing what I know now. You don’t just get to come into a league and just take these things for granted. And it comes back to the word immaturity.
Cam Newton said
— 1-1-1-1 (@pahrduve) November 25, 2024
Cam Newton walked into the final game as the league’s MVP after leading the Panthers to a 15-1 record in the regular season. The Panthers defeated the formidable Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game and advanced to their second Super Bowl appearance since its foundation. However, it took a mere hesitation for the whole thing to come down.
The Panthers, since the day, have made the postseason once, in 2017-18. They didn’t qualify further than the Wild Card playoffs losing the game to New Orleans Saints. The same season was also their last winning season in the last eight years as they continue to unravel as one of the worst teams in the league.
Cam Newton hasn’t had the best of relationships with the team since retirement
Cam Newton’s hesitation seemed to have traveled into his difficulties in forming bonds after he parted ways with the team. Recently, Newton spoke about being ‘erased’ by the Panthers.
In the Germany game as a part of the NFL International Series, the Panthers visited Munich’s Allianz Arena, accompanied by several team legends, including wide receiver Steve Smith and linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. In his podcast “4th and Down,” he admitted that he felt bad not being invited to the same despite being one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the franchise.
He specifically noted that the team has not displayed his picture in the main area of its facilities and previously declined his proposal to host a live “Funky Friday” podcast featuring Panthers’ legends in front of an audience.
Newton further noted that he felt that there were no issues between the player and the organization that needed mending. He expressed that he missed out on events before owing to not being aware of the same. He added that he wasn’t informed of the events, leading to his absence. In his ten years with the franchise, he racked up three Pro Bowls, one NFL MVP, and the Panthers’ last Super Bowl appearance.
Related: Raiders’ Jackson Powers-Johnson takes full blame for botched snap in loss to Chiefs
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Mohammed Bazim
(406 Articles Published)