Cam Newton: Fight or Flight?
The Pressure is On for Cam This Season
It is no secret that this past season was a complete let down for the Carolina Panthers and their fans, but there was no bigger disappointment than Cam Newton‘s second half of the season which many attributed to a shoulder injury.
Newton, fresh off an off-season shoulder surgery, looks to get back to his MVP form that once had the Panthers taking end-zone squad pictures and playing in the Super Bowl.
The Panthers’ franchise quarterback finds himself with pressure from fans and the organization to lead the Panthers to their first championship since the team’s first season in 1995.
Cam Has Felt Pressure Since College
The pressure to prove isn’t something new for the former NFL MVP as Newton’s collegiate career started as a back-up in Florida behind Tim Tebow, and took a turn of events when he ended up at Blinn College playing on the Junior College, or JuCo, level after being charged with stealing a laptop.
This level of talent playing at the JuCo level could crush anyone’s ego and desire to play. This was the complete opposite for Newton, who excelled on the JuCo scene and was gifted the opportunity to be recruited and start for the Auburn Tigers.
The Tigers were a perfect fit for Newton as he flourished on the big stage, earning 2010 SEC offensive player of the year, AP player of the year and became Auburn’s third Heisman winner. Newton led the Tigers to the 2011 BCS National Championship game. Following the game, Newton declared for the 2011 NFL draft and was selected 1st overall by the Panthers.
Cam Overcame Pressure During His First Nine Seasons
Newton once again faced extraordinary pressure and overcame it his rookie season by starting 16 out of 16 games, throwing for over 4,000 yards, 21 passing touchdowns, being selected to the all-pro team, and shattering all-time NFL records.
The Panthers found themselves, arguably, in their most important position in years as Newton continued to strive to earn two more pro bowls, a first-team all-pro, an MVP season, and a trip to the Super Bowl in 2015 where the team went an impressive 15-1.
Since that Super Bowl, however, the Panthers made the playoffs once in the last three seasons, and concerns and impatience began growing from Panther fans chasing the ghost of the 2015 season.
This past season the Panthers, missing out on the playoffs after a 7-9 record where Cam didn’t finish the season after an apparent shoulder injury, had fans against one another about whether it was time to rebuild for a fresh start or stick it through with the once MVP.
Cam Seems Ready For The Most Pressure of His Career
This upcoming season will be huge for the Panthers and Newton as they try to find their way back to the promised land and win the team’s first championship. Newton coming off shoulder surgery has already participated and looked good early on during training camp making a 45 yard pass to wide receiver Curtis Samuel.
However, Newton himself knows the rehab to his shoulder is no easy task and understands that despite the pressure by his team and fans, it will take time to get back into MVP form.
The 30-year-old QB is fully invested into rehabbing and getting back to 100% and has already changed a part of his throwing to take the pressure off his shoulder, but will that be enough to satisfy Panther fans and ownership?
Pressure is nothing new for Newton, and just like before no matter the odds fully expect Newton to come out on top and prove he’s still one of the best in the league with tools to bring the Panthers their first ring.