Cam Newton had his feelings hurt by the Carolina Panthers in the past — and now he’s throwing shade at his “loser” former Panther teammates.
Newton, the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick in 2011, recently appeared on potential 2025 top pick Travis Hunter’s podcast and discussed what it’s like being atop a draft board.
Newton had no issue airing out what he didn’t like about being taken first in 2011 by a 2-14 Carolina team — and he dragged his former teammates through the mud while doing so.
“My issue is, when I was the first pick, I went into a locker room of losers,” Newton said. “Guys didn’t know how to win … Not everybody has capabilities to be impact players.”
Among that “locker room of losers” were players like Steve Smith Sr., Thomas Davis, Greg Olsen and plenty of other “impact” players, despite what Newton may say.
Smith took exception to Newton’s comments.
“None of us are perfect. Yes We were 2-14 before you blessed us [with your] presence,” Smith wrote on X. “The way you have talked about [The Panthers] lately I’m very disappointed.”
Smith has a right to be upset.
In three seasons together, Newton and Smith linked up for 3,313 yards and 15 touchdowns. The veteran Smith provided satisfactory support for the then-young quarterback in his first few seasons in the league.
While not yet making the cut, Smith could very well be a Hall of Famer sometime down the line.
Davis and Olsen become eligible for election next season.
Newton’s comments could be a projection of his displeasure with the Panthers organization for trying to “erase” his legacy.
Newton took the team to its second Super Bowl appearance ever and is the only Panther to win the MVP award.
Despite this, he claims the franchise “doesn’t f–k with” him anymore.
