Cam Newton’s finally opening up about something that’s been weighing on him: feeling erased by the Carolina Panthers. The Heisman Trophy winner and three-time Pro Bowler got real about how he felt sidelined—both on and off-field.
It’s a raw, vulnerable look at the emotional toll of being an NFL icon one minute and overlooked the next. Now, Newton’s sharing his truth.
Cam Newton Opens Up on Lack of Recognition
Newton isn’t holding back anymore. In a candid conversation on the 4th and 1 Show, the former Panthers QB opened up about how he feels erased by the team he once led to the Super Bowl. “I gave this city everything,” he said, expressing frustration over the lack of recognition from Carolina.
Newton recalled a moment last year when he attended a 7-on-7 tournament at the Panthers’ facility. To his surprise, there wasn’t a single image or tribute to one of the franchise’s greatest players.
“We went into the Panthers’ facility and you mean to tell me one of the greatest Panthers to ever play ain’t up [on the walls] nowhere? I’m talking nowhere” the 35-year-old asserted, visibly hurt. “Who brought it to my attention? My son,” he continued. “So as a man, when you have to explain to your son, ‘Daddy, where’s your picture?'”
Newton said the Panthers’ reasoning was because he isn’t officially retired yet.
“At this particular point in time the question was, ‘Oh, we don’t know if Cam’s retired yet.’ Newsflash: I’m never going to retire. I know I played my last piece of football. It don’t matter to me to officially retire.”
The real reason why the @Panthers are avoiding Cam Newton's legacy…
New episode of 4th&1 out now!
📺: https://t.co/aVZSWBaVkS pic.twitter.com/CpDsZQmcV3
— 4thand1show (@4thand1show) November 14, 2024
The bitterness didn’t stop there. Newton also reflected on his attempts to engage the Panthers in commemorating the iconic 2015 season—five years after the Super Bowl run. He suggested a special event where he could reconnect with former teammates like Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, and Greg Olsen, offering fans a chance to relive those glory days. However, nothing came of it.
“A couple of years ago, I had initiatives that I brought to the forefront to the Carolina Panthers… We’re approaching at this time, it was five years since the 2015 season. I was like, we could do a two-for-one… This could be the perfect way to pass the torch to Bryce Young. I think the fans like that. Did that get pushed through?” he asked, pointing out the missed opportunity to honor the past and pass the torch to future stars.
“I didn’t even know certain opportunities even existed,” Newton said in a somber tone. “So did it hurt my feelings? Yeah, it did. I’m like damn, bro. I gave this city everything.”
As the Auburn Tigers product continues to process the lack of acknowledgment from his old team, it’s clear that the emotional wounds run deep. While his departure from the Panthers may have been inevitable, the absence of recognition and connection still stings.
Newton Calls Out Tut Tarantino for Disrespecting His Father’s Legacy
Newton is not one to keep his opinions to himself. And this episode of his hit podcast was no different. After an emotional discussion around the Panthers and the lack of appreciation he feels, Newton shared his thoughts about another trending, controversial topic.
During the same episode, Newton pulled no punches when responding to rapper Tut Tarantino, son of Cowboys icon Michael Irvin, over a recent back-and-forth. After Irvin joked about his son’s privileged upbringing while rapping about a “hard life,” Tarantino fired back, claiming his house wasn’t as big as his father had said.
That’s when Newton stepped in on the 4th and 1 Show.
Catch the full convo with @CameronNewton breaking down his thoughts on the comments from @michaelirvin88's son https://t.co/TOYYmYhH6S pic.twitter.com/Mx01374csZ
— 4thand1show (@4thand1show) November 12, 2024
The former QB blasted Tarantino for discrediting his dad, saying, “That man clothed you, took care of you… I see what you trying to do. You trying to get the bear off your back, but you trying not be discredit what your father said.”
He urged the rapper to “live in your truth” and stop chasing trends. Newton also ripped into the current generation for pretending to be something they’re not, urging Tarantino to embrace authenticity instead of playing up to what’s popular.