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Cam Newton’s return to the Panthers on Sunday could have gone very differently after the long road he’s been down, but he’s back and he means business.

Jennifer Bubel
Jennifer BubelEnglish_AS
Cam Newton’s return to the Panthers on Sunday could have gone very differently after the long road he’s been down, but he’s back and he means business.
Cam Newton’s return to the Panthers on Sunday could have gone very differently after the long road he’s been down, but he’s back and he means business.Joe CamporealeUSA TODAY Sports

It’s been a long road for Cam Newton. At the same stadium where he played his last college football game and first NFL game, Newton made his return in a Panthers uniform on Sunday night and immediately impressed.

A triumphant success for Newton

This was a significant moment for the 32-year old quarterback. Before a stint of injuries all but halted his chances at a future in the NFL, Newton won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 and then in 2015 took the Panthers to a 15-1 record and the Super Bowl to be named the NFL’s MVP that year. He had a successful run with the team but in 2019 after the slew of injuries, the Panthers released him. He started out with the Patriots but ultimately lost the starting job to Mac Jones and was released. It seemed like it could have been the end to his career in the NFL right then and there.

As luck would have it, Newton wasn’t ready to give it all up yet and his former team happened to be in need of a quarterback after losing Sam Darnold to an injury that could potentially have him out all season. Newton took the opportunity to show the team that he is still as versatile as ever. He scored the first two touchdowns for the team, one on the ground and one in the air. Though PJ Walker took most of the snaps, the early lead helped the Panthers to get the win over the Arizona Cardinals and improved Carolina’s record to 5-5.

Whether or not Cam will get the start with the Panthers for the rest of the season doesn’t really matter. He’s proven that he can still perform and if this is indeed the end, he at least will go out in glory rather than in a forgettable stint with the Patriots or finishing injured and unable to play.

“It’s so many emotions that are going on in my head right now,” Newton said. “I just want to be obedient to coach Rhule. I am doing this with Robby (Anderson) because I don’t want to be the last one on the plane.”