Cam Newton says NFL teams have ‘hinted’ his dreadlocks have affected his chances of roster spot
Former MVP Cam Newton has revealed that NFL franchises have suggested a clean-cut look might be a better fit, but didn’t admit his usual dreadlocks have kept him out of the league.
Newton, who played 11 seasons in the NFL — 10 with Carolina — has been a free agent since the end of the 2021 season.
He still maintains a social media presence, regularly appearing on his own social media channels and occasionally with others, including Josina Anderson.
‘It has been suggested. I don’t change,” said Newton Anderson’s Undefined podcast.
“People have suggested saying like, ‘Cam, we want you to go back to 2015’s tight Cam.’ But that was a different me. Right now, where I am, it really embraces who I am.
Newton, who won the 2015 NFL MVP, has long been criticized for his appearance choice
Newton led the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50 and spent nine seasons with the franchise
And the thing that’s always mentioned is, “Cam, you scare people with the way you look.” And I’d say, “Yo, like I’m not going to name names, but there are other quarterbacks in the league that don’t look like me, but they have long hair.” They don’t scare them, do they?’
Newton has often drawn criticism for his outlandish and individual fashion sense, usually reserved for an NBA star or Hollywood actor, as opposed to a face from an NFL franchise.
“I’d say look, that’s not the reason I’m not in the NFL right now. Needless to say, I hope I don’t get blacklisted for that, but I don’t think that’s the situation,” Newton said.
His current predicament has been a stellar fall from grace. Less than eight years ago, Newton was the most destructive force in the league, endorsed by his 2015 MVP award.
With elite quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady playing in their late 30s and 40s respectively, it’s telling that the 33-year-old Newton is 18 months away from the locker room.
A combination of injuries, poor play and his undeniable star power has led Newton to the point where he now plays tennis as he hopefully awaits a career-changing call-up from one of the 32.
“I’m in a situation where I’m not getting any younger, there are guys who are cheaper than me who are probably a step up. It’s discretionary. I’m in a good room. They can think what they want, but the reality is that my hair is deeply rooted in my culture and the people who look like me.’
Newton made headlines in March for defiantly saying “there ain’t no 32 motherf****** better than me,” referring to the league’s starting quarterbacks.
The NFL free agent has become something of a style icon since gaining celebrity status
The former Heisman Trophy winner pitched at Auburn’s Pro Day last month in an effort to show he still has enough to return to an NFL roster. He then released a video with a list of QBs he was willing to back up – sparking criticism and entitlement questions.
Newton revealed that he had received calls from an AFC team(s) since posting the video on his YouTube channel. He does not want to indicate with which organisation(s) he has spoken.
“Yes,” Newton said of receiving phone calls. “But I think a lot of things were based on the Draft. I’ve talked to a number of teams and it was pretty much the same feeling; “We’ll see after the Draft.”
“It’s no reason for me to go to a Los Angeles Chargers – that system doesn’t compare to me. Me as back-up to Patrick Mahomes, that system doesn’t feel right to me.’
A three-time Pro Bowler, Newton played the first nine seasons of his Carolina career after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
In 2020, Newton worked under Bill Belichick (R) as the quarterback of the New England Pats
Newton was released by the Panthers in March 2020 after back-to-back injury-ridden seasons.
In July of that year, he signed a one-year contract with New England, filling the void left by Tom Brady. He went 7-8 with the Pats, throwing 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Newton was released by the Patriots in August 2011 and less than three months later was a midseason pick for the struggling Panthers.
He scored two touchdowns in his first two plays, before briefly becoming the starter. Newton lost all five games he started in before being knocked out again at the end of the season.