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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Cam Newton on why he isn’t in the NFL: I scare people

Carolina Panthers legend Cam Newton has always danced, often times literally, to the beat of his own drum. And that beat, even if it’s not being played in the NFL, still goes on.

Newton and former All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall stopped in at Audacy’s V-103 Hip-Hop station in Atlanta on Monday to chop it up on The Big Tigger Morning Show. While promoting his and Marshall’s “I Am iConic – Live Tour,” the former Most Valuable Player was asked why he believes he isn’t on an NFL roster right now.

“I scare people,” Newton replied. “Because you can’t control me. I’m not a puppet. I cut them strings off a long time ago. If that would’ve been the case, they would’ve told me without telling me to, ‘Cut your dreads.’ They would’ve told me without telling me to just, ‘Be a little quiet.’ They would’ve told me without telling me, ‘Why you making it about you – how you dress?’

“But as some of us know in this space, I dress like this every day. This ain’t a facade. This ain’t a front. This is me. And if you can’t, you know, welcome me with open arms, then I’m not for you. And I think people need to understand that you are not for everybody… ”

Despite expressing his willingness to serve as a backup, Newton hasn’t been an employee of the league since 2021—during his second stint with the Panthers. He also recently revealed that he hasn’t been contacted by a team over the past two years.

But Newton—who is a business, man—remains busy outside of the game. Oh, and just as a reminder—he changed the game, he didn’t manage it.

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