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New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton has an interesting theory on why the Carolina Panthers soured on him.
The Panthers parted ways with Newton during the 2020 offseason. He had played just two games in 2020 and had a long list of recent injuries. His performances in 2019 and 2020 were not impressive, certainly not at par with his MVP performance in 2015. But he thinks that decline was only partially the reason for his departure, which coincided with coach Matt Rhule replacing Ron Rivera.
Newton reflected upon the turnover during an appearance on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast.
“I intimidate a lot of people,” he said. “And honestly, I intimidated the franchise I was at. Let’s keep it a bean. Let’s keep it a hundred. Everybody’s not used to knowing who they are and not being moved or bothered by it, right? And for me, that’s where I stand up the most.
“A lot of people look at me from afar and say, ‘He’s flamboyant. He’s this. He’s that.’ I want you to think like that. I’m from Atlanta, Ga. I’m a finesser. I’m a chameleon. I know how to make a way.”
Newton added: “By the time I got released, the only place that made sense for me, for my career, was New England.”
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