Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton reaffirmed his recent claims that the team had what he referred to as “a locker room of losers” prior to his selection as the top overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He described the nature of his comments as “aggressive” but insisted that they were rooted in reality.
On a podcast episode titled “4th and 1 with Cam Newton,” the athlete clarified that he was critiquing the overall team dynamic rather than targeting individual players. He questioned societal sensitivity regarding frank assessments, stating, “When did we become so sensitive to really speaking what the reality is? A locker room full of losers? Aggressive, but it’s true.”
Newton’s comments have drawn criticism from various former teammates, notably Steve Smith Sr., a prominent wide receiver in the franchise’s history. While discussing the pressures faced by Travis Hunter—an aspiring top draft pick—Newton expressed that he entered a “locker room of losers” where players lacked knowledge about winning and preparation.
He elaborated on his experiences, pointing out that the prevailing mentality among his teammates was reflective of the team’s dismal 2-14 performance. Smith, who was part of the 2010 Panthers squad, expressed his displeasure on social media, highlighting the number of players in the locker room at the time. Coining a phrase, he tweeted, “53 man locker room – 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking news to 89,” accompanied by an angry-face emoji.
Despite the backlash, Newton expressed that he has no personal animosity towards Smith, acknowledging his right to feel offended. However, he remained firm in his stance, asserting that his remarks were about the cultural environment surrounding the team before his arrival. He emphasized that this mentality persisted during his initial two seasons, where the Panthers recorded 6-10 and 7-9 records, respectively.
Newton noted a turning point in 2013, where the Panthers achieved a 12-4 record, although they faced elimination in the divisional round against San Francisco. The pinnacle came in 2015 when the team soared to a 15-1 season and reached the Super Bowl, with Newton even earning the league MVP accolade that year.
In concluding his thoughts, Newton clarified that he never claimed to be the sole reason for the team’s improvements. Instead, he explained that being drafted first overall typically implies joining a struggling franchise, stating, “That’s facts. And that’s the point that I was trying to tell Travis Hunter.” He reiterated, “For me, everybody is so taken aback, like, ‘Oh, Cam said this.’ Bro, it’s the truth. It’s the truth.”
