Bill Belichick apparently isn’t the only coach with an admiration for Cam Newton’s ability and work ethic during his recovery.
Newton’s former coach in Carolina, now coach of the Washington Redskins, Ron Rivera, still believes that the quarterback can be effective in the NFL. With the injuries that have held Newton out of games in the past couple of seasons, many have doubted that he can return and lead a team again. Rivera isn’t buying it.
On the McNeil & Parkins Show on 670 The Score, Rivera spoke about Newton’s chances of a successful comeback.
“He’s headed in the right direction,” Rivera said. “I mean, he’s probably about as healthy as it gets from what I’ve seen on video. I think he’s ready to bust out. I would never bet against the young man, that’s for sure.”
Rivera coached Newton in all 124 of his starts and has seen, first-hand, what type of player he is. Despite the constant talks about how Newton failed to recover a fumble in Super Bowl 50, Rivera knows that the former Auburn quarterback is a competitor.
“Don’t bet against him,” Rivera said. “I really wouldn’t. First of all, you got to know who he is and understand what all he’s gone through. He’s a guy that’s always tried to do things, I think, because he’s felt the pressure. He felt the pressure of being the No. 1 overall pick. He felt the pressure of having won the Heisman Trophy and being the No. 1 overall pick. He felt the pressure of being a black quarterback, with all the stuff that’s been heaped on him.
“He’s really had to find his way through it, and he’s done a great job with it.”
Now, Newton has another mountain to climb as the quarterback to succeed Tom Brady as the starting quarterback in New England. It would be a tough task for anybody, but Newton seems motivated to do what it takes to win and restore his name among the top quarterbacks in the game today.
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