Cam Newton has never been one to hold back his opinions, but his recent comments about the Carolina Panthers have ruffled some feathers—particularly among his former teammates. Newton, who had two stints with the Panthers and remains one of the most iconic players in franchise history, made controversial remarks implying that the team was full of “losers” before his arrival. Unsurprisingly, several ex-Panthers players took issue with his words and did not hesitate to respond.
During a recent podcast appearance, Newton reflected on his early days in Carolina and suggested that the culture of the team before his arrival was not conducive to winning. “When I got there, let’s just be honest—the team didn’t know how to win,” Newton said. “There was a losing mentality, and I had to change that.”
While Newton’s confidence has never been in question, many former Panthers saw his comments as a slight against them and the work they put into building the franchise before his tenure. Several players took to social media and sports talk shows to express their displeasure.
One of the most vocal critics was former Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., a franchise legend known for his fiery personality. Smith, who played for Carolina long before Newton arrived in 2011, dismissed the quarterback’s comments as disrespectful. “Let’s not rewrite history here,” Smith said on his podcast. “This franchise had pride long before Cam showed up. We had winning seasons, we had grit, and we fought every game. Just because you think you changed things doesn’t mean we weren’t doing the work before you got there.”
Other ex-Panthers echoed similar sentiments. Former linebacker Jon Beason, who played for Carolina from 2007 to 2013, also took issue with Newton’s statement. “That ‘losing mentality’ comment doesn’t sit right with me,” Beason said in an interview. “We had our struggles, sure, but we were professionals. We played hard, we competed, and we put our bodies on the line. The NFL is a tough league, and to imply that guys weren’t serious about winning before you arrived is unfair.
Newton, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, became the face of the franchise for nearly a decade, leading the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2015 season and winning league MVP that year. However, his second stint with Carolina in 2021 was far less successful, with the team finishing 5-12.
Despite the backlash, Newton has not walked back his comments, maintaining that his arrival signaled a shift in the organization’s mindset. Whether or not his remarks were meant to be taken as an insult, the response from his former teammates proves that some wounds never fully heal in the world of professional sports.
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