Team Success or Individual Glory? Cam Newton Sparks Controversy Yet Again

Cam Newton prefers individual player achievements over team success including a Super Bowl win.

Team Success or Individual Glory? Cam Newton Sparks Controversy Yet Again

Cam Newton (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Whether anyone agrees with him or not, Cam Newton always comes up with thought-provoking statements. Who can forget when the former NFL quarterback proudly boasted that he would never trade away his league MVP trophy for a Super Bowl ring?

It’s easy to dismiss Newton’s claims as irrational, unless someone has been in his shoes. Newton doubled down on his take during a recent segment of ESPN First Take.

A day after Joe Flacco led the dysfunctional Cincinnati Bengals to a historic win over divisional rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Newton suggested that the Cleveland Browns should have kept hold of the 40-year-old. He also wanted Cleveland GM Andrew Berry to trade for frustrated AJ Brown from Philly.

After seeing what Flacco can do with capable catchers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in Cincy, it sounded like a no-brainer. This prompted Ryan Clark to pose the question of what’s more important. individual glory or team success?

Would you rather be in a spot where you could individually achieve, have success, have statistics, and lose? [Or] would you want to be someone who contributes to a team that can win a Super Bowl?

Ryan Clark asked

Newton’s body language screamed that he was waiting for a question like that. He did not hesitate to choose individual statistics. He claimed team success, “Don’t take care of my family.”

If I’m thinking about it from a personal standpoint, of course, we want the best of both worlds. But if you’re asking me what gives you extensions, what gives you top-tier money, what gives you certain things–there’s more players that have rings, championships, and things that are struggling, rather than ‘busts’ that have money and are doing right by their money.

Cam Newton said

Newton’s view on football may differ from the age-old adage “putting your team first,” but it’s also true that it’s about the livelihoods of athletes. Only players who sign big salary packages get the chance to live a comfortable life after retirement.

A Super Bowl-winning team can hold about 70 players (including practice squad players). However, fans mostly remember the name of the winning quarterback, the leading receiver, or the running back. Now the question is: how many remember the names of the offensive lineman, the kicker, or the punter? The answer is simple: next to no one (unless they make a goofy mistake or a memorable play).

By that logic, Newton’s argument does have its merits. But then again, a championship ring is still a championship ring.

Auburn retired Cam Newton’s jersey

The Carolina Panthers may have forgotten about Cam Newton, but his old college team paid him the ultimate respect, which was due for a while. During the halftime of the Auburn-Georgia showdown in Alabama, the Tigers retired Newton’s No. 2 jersey.

Team Success or Individual Glory? Cam Newton Sparks Controversy yet Again
Cam Newton (Image via IMAGO)

Newton became only the fourth Tiger alumnus, after Pat Sullivan’s No. 7, Terry Beasley’s No. 88, and Bo Jackson’s No. 34, whose jersey number is now untouchable.

When I came to Auburn, I had a simple idea: I wanted to be better than Bo Jackson. I am challenging the next generation when they decide to go to Auburn, that somebody dares to say, ‘I want to be better than Cam Newton.’

Cam Newton said (H/T: Associated Press)

Newton only played one season with the Tigers, but he just needed that one year to prove that he was a special talent. He led Auburn to a 14-0 finish, completed 185 passes from 280 attempts (66.1%) for 2854 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions (182.0 QBR), along with 264 carries with the ball for 1473 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.

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