Cameron Jerrell Newton, born on May 11, 1989, is a former professional football quarterback who played 11 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Carolina Panthers.
He gained fame as a standout at Auburn University, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2010 and leading his team to a national championship.
Newton was the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and was named NFL Rookie of the Year.
Known for his dual-threat capabilities, he holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history.
Siblings
Cam has two brothers, namely Cecil Newton Jr. and Caylin Newton.
Cecil, the oldest, played as a center in the NFL for teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints after attending Tennessee State University.
Caylin, the youngest, has played quarterback at various colleges, including Howard University and Auburn.
The Newton family shares a strong bond through football, with both brothers looking up to Cam’s NFL success and work ethic.
College career
Newton began his college journey at the University of Florida in 2007, where he played as a backup quarterback to Tim Tebow.
Although he showed promise, his playing time was limited during his freshman year. In 2008, he faced legal issues related to a theft charge, which ultimately led to his transfer from Florida after being suspended for a game.
Seeking a fresh start, Newton transferred to Blinn College in Texas for the 2009 season.
There, he had a breakout year, throwing for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns while also rushing for 655 yards and 8 touchdowns.
In 2010, Newton transferred to Auburn University, where he had an extraordinary season that would define his college career.
He threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdown passes while rushing for an astounding 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns.
His dual-threat ability made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Under his leadership, Auburn finished the season with a perfect record of 14-0 and won the BCS National Championship against Oregon.
Newton’s remarkable performance throughout the season earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy, making him the third player in Auburn history to receive this honor.
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NFL career
Newton was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2011 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of his professional career.
He made an immediate impact as a rookie, setting several records, including the most passing yards in a debut game with 422 yards.
By the end of his rookie season, he had thrown for over 4,000 yards and 21 touchdown passes, earning him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Throughout his career with the Panthers from 2011 to 2019, Newton was named to the Pro Bowl three times (2013, 2015, and 2016).
His unique playing style combined speed, power, and passing ability, making him one of the most versatile quarterbacks in NFL history.
In 2015, Newton had what many consider his best season.
He threw for 3,837 yards and a career-high 35 touchdown passes while also rushing for another ten touchdowns.
This remarkable performance earned him the NFL MVP award as he led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50.
Unfortunately, they lost to the Denver Broncos in that championship game.
As time went on, injuries began to plague Newton’s career.
Shoulder issues affected his throwing ability, but he remained a key player for the Panthers until his release in March 2020.
After leaving Carolina, Newton signed with the New England Patriots in July 2020.
He started as the team’s quarterback but faced challenges adapting to their system. After one season with the Patriots, he was released in August 2021.
In November of that year, he made a return to the Panthers amid injury struggles at their quarterback position.
Although he showed flashes of his former self during this stint, it became evident that injuries had taken their toll on his performance.
Accolades
In college, Newton won the Heisman Trophy in 2010, becoming the third Auburn player to achieve this honor.
He also received several prestigious awards that year, including the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien Award, and Manning Award.
Additionally, he was named the AP College Football Player of the Year and earned consensus All-American honors.
Newton led Auburn to an undefeated season and a national championship, setting records for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns in a single season.
In the NFL, Newton was named NFL MVP in 2015, leading the Carolina Panthers to a franchise-best 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance.
He also earned the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 2015 and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times.
His rookie season in 2011 saw him become the first quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards while also setting records for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.