CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Steve Smith Sr., a former star wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, reacted strongly to remarks made by his ex-teammate Cam Newton, who branded the Panthers as “losers” before he joined the team as the top overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
During a recent podcast conversation with Travis Hunter, a wide receiver and cornerback from the University of Colorado, Newton discussed the expectations that come with being the first pick in an NFL draft. He explained the unique pressure of playing the quarterback position compared to other roles on the field.
Newton stated, “You could potentially be the first pick, but, bro, you have no way of impacting the game the way a quarterback does. You can lock down the No. 1 receiver. You can make impact plays on offense all you want, but it’s still not like a quarterback. My issue is that, when I was the first pick, I went into a locker room of losers. Just honest. Guys didn’t know how to win; guys didn’t know how to prepare. They didn’t take themselves seriously to realize we were 2-14. There was a lot of 2-14 in the mentality of those guys.”
Smith, who is regarded as the most prolific receiver in Panthers history and is also one of the 15 finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame, criticized Newton’s remarks. Smith was part of the Panthers’ 2010 squad, a season in which he faced significant challenges due to the team’s struggle at the quarterback position.
In response to Newton’s comments, Smith expressed his outrage on X, commenting, “53 man locker room – 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking news to 89,” accompanied by an angry-faced emoji.
Later, Smith expanded on his dissatisfaction with Newton’s statements, writing, “I’ve watched & listened from afar as U @CameronNewton talk about @Panthers! None of us are perfect. Yes, we were 2-14 before you blessed us w ur presence. The way you have talked about @panthers lately I’m very disappointed. I wish u nothing but the very best. I’m done!!!”
Smith and Newton played together in Carolina from 2011 to 2013, a period marked by both personal differences and moments of collaboration. Newton, who earned AP Rookie of the Year honors in 2011, played a significant role in transforming the Panthers into a competitive team. In 2015, he won league MVP by producing a remarkable season with 45 combined touchdowns, leading the Panthers to a 15-1 record and an appearance in Super Bowl 50, where they ultimately fell to the Denver Broncos.
Throughout his 11-season career, Newton spent 10 years with the Panthers, where he remains the franchise leader in both passing yards and touchdowns. He holds an overall record of 68-60-1 as the starting quarterback, which is the second-best win-loss percentage in franchise history for QBs with a minimum of 25 starts, behind only Jake Delhomme.
When a fan on X pointed out that Smith had previously been critical of the Panthers, the outspoken former wide receiver quickly defended his stance: “I’ve never backed down from my words. However calling the men in the locker room losers isn’t slander; it’s disrespectful! I disliked a lot of things that happened during my time there. But calling men losers? Nah.”
As of now, Newton has not publicly addressed Smith’s criticisms.
