Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen Issues Seven-Word Warning to Former NFL MVP

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Feb 26, 2025 8:46 AM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates legend Andrew McCutchen would rather former NFL MVP Cam Newton stick to football.

Newton made waves in December when he proclaimed the WNBA would be more popular than baseball in 20 years. At the time, McCutchen posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Carolina Panthers legend “talks about baseball like a person who has never been around baseball talks about baseball.”

Newton also called baseball a “dying sport,” less than two months after the World Series averaged nearly 16 million viewers, a 67% increase from 2023.

Speaking to Foul Territory at Pirates camp this week, McCutchen reiterated Newton should stay away from discussing baseball.

“Just gotta stay in your lane, man,” McCutchen said.

Newton had not responded as of publication.

Newton’s unfiltered opinions have kept him in the news lately. He recently called the Panthers a “locker room full of losers” when he arrived in 2011. Ex-teammates Steve Smith Sr. and Captain Munnerlyn subsequently criticized Newton.

McCutchen noted he wouldn’t make strong comments about football despite playing the sport in high school. In fact, he was a standout receiver who reportedly earned a scholarship offer to play at the University of Miami.

“I don’t know enough,” McCutchen admitted. “I’d be quiet about it ... There’s nothing I’m gonna go past the facts.”

Co-host Erik Kratz jokingly asked McCutchen if he had any “cold NFL takes.”

“I have no cold NFL takes,” a smiling McCutchen replied.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: