The drama between the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton was already ratcheted up with rumors swirling that the franchise he’s called home since they drafted him first overall in 2011 might want to trade him.
On Tuesday, that was confirmed: the Panthers confirmed reports that Newton was getting permission to seek a trade with a statement from general manager Marty Hurney: “One of the distinct pleasures of my career was selecting Cam with the first pick in the 2011 draft. Every year difficult decisions are made and they are never easy. We have been working with Cam and his agent to find the best fit for him moving forward and he will always be a Carolina Panther in our hearts.”
They posted the news on Instagram, and Newton had a fiery response (using his usual quirky font) that he posted in the comments:
Cam Newton, on IG, makes it clear that he did not want this to happen and says Panthers “forced” him into it: pic.twitter.com/gv0ooK8kff
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 17, 2020
“Stop with the word play!! I never asked for it!! THERE IS NO DODGING THIS ONE; I love the Panthers TO DEATH AND WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU GUYS!! PLEASE DO NOT TRY AND PLAY ME, or MANIPULATE THE NARRATIVE AND ACT LIKE I WANTED THIS; you forced me into this!! — 1OVE.”
Hoo boy. What’s the real story here? The only truth is that Newton is probably on his way out of Carolina.
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