Cam Newton said the Panthers hurt his feelings by not inviting him to Germany, where Carolina beat the Giants, 20-17, on Sunday.
During the latest installment of his “4th & 1” podcast, Newton — who was Carolina’s quarterback from 2011-19 and named MVP in 2015 — claimed the organization “doesn’t f–k with” him anymore and is avoiding his legacy.
“How do you say you don’t f–k with somebody without saying you don’t f–k with somebody,” Newton, 35, said while reacting to a video of Panthers legends Julius Peppers, Steve Smith and Luke Kuechly at a Fan Fest event in Munich.
The “First Take” personality — who emphasized that he doesn’t have any “quarrels” with Panthers owner David Tepper — explained that he’s tried to be involved in the organization, but they weren’t interested.
“A couple years ago, I had initiatives that I brought to the forefront the Carolina Panthers. I said, ‘Yo, I’m really taking this media s–t serious, why don’t we give a live audience the experience, let’s do a ‘Funky Friday’ for the masses?’” Newton recalled. “… I was like, ‘We can do a two-for-one. I can talk to Luke Keuchly, I can talk to Thomas Davis, I can talk to Greg Olsen, unfiltered in a way in front of an audience that we could just share stories. This could be the perfect way to pass the torch to [current quarterback] Bryce Young. I think the fans would like that.’”
Newton, who last played in 2021 in his second stint with the Panthers, has not yet formally retired from football.
The former MVP claimed that the Panthers are using that as an excuse not to honor him anywhere in their facility — where he said there isn’t a trace of his time with the team.
“Can I be vulnerable real quick? … Last year we had a 7-on-7 tournament in Charlotte, with me being who I am I have access. We went into the Panthers facility and you mean to tell me that one of the greatest Panthers to ever play ain’t up nowhere? Nowhere. I’m talking nowhere,” Newton said.
“Who brought it to my attention? My 8-year-old son … So, as a man, when you have to explain to your son — ‘Daddy where’s your picture?’”
Newton said their tour guide told them he was “all over the place” on the second or third floor of the facility.
“At that point in time, the [Panthers’] question was, ‘Oh, we don’t know if Cam is retired or not,’” he said.
“News flash — I’m never going to retire. I know i’ve played my last piece of football. It don’t matter to me to officially retire. I’m in a happy place.”
Newton said it was a hard pill to swallow when he saw the Panthers’ alum working with the team in Munich.
“When I see certain things happen like this, me being in control of the ‘narrative,’ it’s like, bro, I ain’t hard to find,” Newton said. “I ain’t even know certain opportunities even existed. And when I don’t show up, it’s because I didn’t know. So, did it hurt my feelings? Yeah, it did, as a man. Like damn bro, I gave this city everything.”
“… Me and that franchise, it’s simple. It takes two to tango. My number ain’t changed. I’ve reached out multiple times and did so many things. There is so much familiarity there. How did they look at you? As an ambassador or as a former player? There’s a difference.
“But for too long, it’s been a bulls–t a– excuse like, ‘We don’t know if Cam’s retired or not.’ … Bro this s–t is over with. I ain’t been back yet and it ain’t because I didn’t want to go back I’m a very international-based person… I ain’t just going back to walk the halls.”
His “4th & 1” podcast posted a clip of his explanation on X with the caption, “The real reason why the @Panthers are avoiding Cam Newton’s legacy.”
Newton, the Panthers’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, led Carolina to three straight NFC South titles from 2013-15, a Super Bowl and four total postseason appearances.
He is Carolina’s all-time leader in nearly every quarterback statistical category.
Newton was named to three Pro Bowls and was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 — the same year he earned an All-Pro nod.
