Cam Newton Called Out by Former Coach For Controversial Comments

"My issue is, when I was the first pick, I went into a locker room of losers," Newton said. "Guys didn't know how to win." 

Former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera (2011-19) has spoken out about Newton's remarks. 

Per The Athletic's Joseph Person, Rivera stated he wanted Newton to be more diplomatic towards his former teammates since many of them were on the 2015 Super Bowl team. 

"Sometimes things are better left unsaid," Rivera said. "I [would have] loved to have seen him (Newton) be a little more diplomatic just because a lot of those guys on that 2010 team became some of those guys that went to the Super Bowl in 2015. It's unfortunate he made the comments, and now he's just gotta live with them and own up."

The Panthers' 2011 roster featured players like tight end Greg Olsen, receiver Steve Smith Sr., running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and tight end Jeremy Shockey. 

Newton and Rivera spent nine seasons together with the Panthers. Rivera took the Panthers to the playoffs three times during his tenure, including 2015, when the team went to the Super Bowl. 

Newton made the Pro Bowl (2011, 2013, 2015) three times under Rivera as head coach. After spending nine seasons with the franchise, Newton spent one season with the New England Patriots before returning to the Panthers in 2021.