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Cam Newton Sends Blunt Message to Steve Smith Sr.

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Kevin Matthew Borba | Last updated Feb 14, 2025 5:06 PM ET

Former Carolina Panthers star quarterback Cam Newton has found himself in hot water recently over comments he made about his former team.

After last playing in the NFL in 2021, Newton has since dove into the media space both with his podcast "4th and 1 with Cam Newton," and also making appearances on ESPN programs such as "First Take."

While Newton has never been shy about voicing his opinions, a recent anecdote he shared about first being drafted by the Panthers with the No. 1 pick in 2011 struck a chord with his former receiver, Steve Smith Sr. Newton revealed that upon being drafted by the Panthers, he went into a locker room full of "losers."

A comment that irked Smith enough to fire back at Newton on social media.

I've watched & listened from a far as U @CameronNewton
talk about @Panthers! None of us are perfect. Yes We were 2-14 before you blessed us w ur presence. The way you have talked about @panthers lately I'm very disappointed. I wish u nothing but the very best. I'm done !!! ✌️
— Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) February 10, 2025

As expected, Newton, who was the 2015 MVP, shared his thoughts on the matter on a recent episode of his podcast.

"When did we become so sensitive," Newton asked. "Like when did we become so sensitive to really speaking what the reality is? A locker room full of losers...Aggressive, but it's true. I received what Steve Smith says because, of course, he takes it personal as a competitor I know he is. He was in that locker room that was 2-14. Jonathan Stewart was in that locker room when it was 2-14.

"I'm not specifically talking about those guys," Newton added. "I'm specifically talking about the culture that was there prior to me coming into the locker room. And it was a loser's mentality."

Newton also later admitted in the episode that the "loser mentality" remained the following year when the team went 6-10 with him at the helm. It was something that the team had to grow out of.

He clarified that it wasn't a shot at the team, but just him attempting to explain that when a player goes No. 1 overall, it is typically to a team who struggled the year prior.

Maybe this can ease the tensions between him and the three-time All-Pro receiver, but clearly, Newton is of the mindset that not everything is personal regardless of how offensive it may come off.

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

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