Cam Newton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Cam Newton

Newton with the Carolina Panthers in 2021
No. 1
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(1989-05-11) May 11, 1989 (age 36) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:	Westlake (Atlanta)
College:	Florida (2007–2008) Blinn (2009) Auburn (2010)
NFL Draft:	2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Career history
Carolina Panthers (2011) New England Patriots (2020) Carolina Panthers (2021)
Career highlights and awards
NFL Most Valuable Player (2015) NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2015) NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2011) First-team All-Pro (2015) 3× Pro Bowl (2011, 2013, 2015) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2011) Bert Bell Award (2015) 2× BCS national champion (2008, 2010) NJCAA national champion (2009) Heisman Trophy (2010) Maxwell Award (2010) Walter Camp Award (2010) Manning Award (2010) Davey O'Brien Award (2010) AP College Football Player of the Year (2010) SN College Player of the Year (2010) Chic Harley Award (2010) Consensus All-American (2010) SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2010) First-team All-SEC (2010) NFL record Most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback: 75
Career NFL statistics
Passing attempts: 4,474 Passing completions: 2,682 Completion percentage: 59.9% TD–INT: 194–123 Passing yards: 32,382 Passer rating: 85.2 Rushing yards: 5,628 Rushing touchdowns: 75
Player stats at PFR

Cameron Jerrell Newton (born May 11, 1989) is an American former professional football player. He was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He played most of his career with the Carolina Panthers. Cam Newton holds the NFL record for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. He is also third in career rushing yards for quarterbacks.

Before joining the NFL, Newton played college football for the Auburn Tigers. As a junior, he won the Heisman Trophy and the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. The Panthers chose him as the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He holds many Panthers franchise records, including passing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Newton made a big splash in his first NFL season. He set rookie records for passing and rushing yards by a quarterback. He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was the first rookie quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. He also set a single-season record for quarterback rushing touchdowns. From 2013 to 2017, Newton led the Panthers to the playoffs four times. They won their division three times.

His best season was in 2015. He was named the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP). He helped Carolina achieve a fantastic 15–1 record. This led them to Super Bowl 50. He was the first Black quarterback to win the NFL MVP award on his own. After his MVP season, Newton faced injuries. He played for the New England Patriots in 2020. He then returned to the Panthers for his final season in 2021.

Early Life and High School Football

Newton was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 11, 1989. His father, Cecil Newton Sr., was also a football player. His older brother, Cecil Newton, played as a center in the NFL. His youngest brother, Caylin, was also a quarterback in college.

As a child, Newton was good at baseball and basketball. However, he stopped playing baseball at 14. He also quit basketball early in high school. He focused on football instead. In 2015, he earned a degree in sociology from Auburn University.

Newton attended Westlake High School in Atlanta. As a junior, he threw for 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also ran for 638 yards and nine touchdowns. His team won the state championship. This made major college teams notice him. By his senior year, he was a top-rated quarterback prospect. He received scholarship offers from many big universities. He chose to commit to the University of Florida.

College Football Journey

Playing for the Florida Gators

Newton, far left, with Dan Mullen, John Brantley, Tim Tebow, and Bryan Waggener during his freshman season at Florida

Newton started his college career at the University of Florida. He played for the Florida Gators football team in 2007 and 2008. As a freshman, he was the backup quarterback to Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. He played in five games, throwing for 40 yards and rushing for 103 yards with three touchdowns. In 2008, he played in one game but got an ankle injury. He then took a medical redshirt season.

In late 2008, Newton faced some issues off the field involving a laptop computer. He was suspended from the team. All charges were later dropped after he completed a program. Newton decided to transfer from Florida in early 2009.

Time at Blinn College

In January 2009, Newton transferred to Blinn College in Texas. He led his team to the 2009 NJCAA National Football Championship. He threw for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for 655 yards. He was recognized as a top junior college quarterback. After his successful season, he was highly sought after by many universities. He eventually chose to sign with the Auburn Tigers.

Becoming a Star at Auburn University

Newton quickly became the starting quarterback for Auburn University in 2010. His coach, Gus Malzahn, helped him improve his throwing skills. Newton had an amazing first game against Arkansas State. He had 186 passing yards, 171 rushing yards, and five total touchdowns. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

He continued to shine throughout the season. In one game, he threw a 94-yard touchdown pass, which was the longest in school history. He also rushed for 198 yards and four touchdowns against Kentucky. Media reports soon started mentioning him as a top candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Newton (top) warming up prior to the 2010 Iron Bowl

On October 23, Newton rushed for 217 yards against LSU. This broke the SEC record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season. He also broke Auburn's school record for most touchdowns in a single season. One of his runs, a 49-yard touchdown, was called his "Heisman moment." Auburn became the No. 1 team in the country.

Newton led Auburn to a big comeback victory against rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl. They were down 24–0 but won 28–27. This was the biggest comeback in Auburn's history. He threw for three touchdowns and ran for another.

Newton led Auburn back from a 24-point deficit to defeat rival Alabama

On December 4, 2010, Newton led the Tigers to win the SEC Championship. They beat South Carolina 56–17. Newton was named the game MVP. He threw for 335 yards and scored a career-best six total touchdowns. He became one of only a few players in NCAA history to throw and run for 20-plus touchdowns in a season. He won the 2010 SEC Offensive Player of the Year and the AP Player of the Year.

Newton was a finalist for the 2010 Heisman Trophy. He won it by a huge margin. He was the third Auburn player to win this prestigious award.

After winning the SEC Championship, Auburn played in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. They faced the Oregon Ducks on January 10, 2011. Auburn won a close game, 22–19, to become national champions. Newton threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Three days later, he decided to enter the 2011 NFL draft. Many sportswriters believe his 2010 season was one of the best ever by a college player.

College Eligibility Discussion

During the 2010 season, there were questions about Newton's eligibility. This was because his father, Cecil Newton, was accused of asking for money from another college during Cam's recruitment. This would have broken college sports rules. Auburn said they were not involved and that Cam was eligible to play.

The NCAA investigated the situation. On November 30, Auburn declared Cam Newton ineligible. However, Auburn quickly appealed, arguing that Cam Newton did not know about his father's actions. The NCAA agreed and reinstated Newton the very next day. They found no strong evidence that Cam Newton or Auburn knew about his father's actions. This allowed Newton to play in the SEC Championship Game and win the Heisman Trophy. The NCAA officially closed its investigation in October 2011. They found no evidence of wrongdoing by Auburn.

College Honors and Awards

• Heisman Trophy (2010)
• Maxwell Award (2010)
• Walter Camp Award (2010)
• Davey O'Brien Award (2010)
• Manning Award (2010)
• AP College Football Player of the Year (2010)
• Consensus first-team All-American (2010)
• First-team All-Southeastern Conference (2010)

Professional Football Career

Carolina Panthers: First Time Around

On April 28, 2011, the Carolina Panthers selected Cam Newton as the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He was the first Heisman Trophy winner since 2003 to be picked first overall. He also became the first player to win the Heisman, a national championship, and be the top NFL draft pick in a row.

On July 29, 2011, Newton signed a four-year contract with the Panthers. He was named the team's starting quarterback on September 1, 2011.

Rookie Season: 2011

In his first NFL game on September 11, 2011, Newton threw for 422 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown. He became the first rookie to throw for over 400 yards in his first game. His 422 passing yards broke Peyton Manning's rookie record for an opening day.

In his second game, Newton broke his own record with 432 passing yards. He threw and rushed for a touchdown. His 854 passing yards in his first two games were an NFL record for a rookie. He was the only player to start his career with two straight 400-yard passing games.

Newton in his rookie season

The Panthers got their first win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Newton continued to impress throughout the season. On December 4, 2011, he set the NFL rushing touchdown record for quarterbacks. He rushed for his 13th touchdown of the season, breaking a record from 1976. He finished that game with a career-high three rushing touchdowns.

On December 24, 2011, Newton broke Peyton Manning's rookie passing yards record. On January 1, 2012, he became the first rookie quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards. He ended his rookie season with 4,051 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. He also rushed for 706 yards and 14 touchdowns. The 14 rushing touchdowns were an NFL record for a quarterback in a single season.

Newton was chosen for the Pro Bowl. On February 4, 2012, he was named both AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. He earned the nickname "Superman" because of his touchdown celebration. He also started the "Sunday Giveaway" tradition, where Panthers players give the football to kids in the stands after scoring.

2012 Season

Newton started his second season with 303 passing yards. The Panthers had a tough start, losing five games in a row at one point. However, Newton had some strong performances. In Week 12, he threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns, plus two rushing touchdowns. This earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

He finished the season with 3,869 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also had 741 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. The Panthers finished with a 7–9 record. Even though some called it a "Sophomore Slump," Newton improved in many areas and reduced his turnovers.

2013 Season

Newton in 2014 Pro Bowl

The 2013 season began with a 1–3 record for the Panthers. But then, they went on an amazing eight-game winning streak. Newton was very consistent during this time. He passed for 13 touchdowns and rushed for five. The Panthers finished the season with a 12–4 record. They earned a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Newton was selected for the 2014 Pro Bowl. The Panthers lost their first playoff game to the San Francisco 49ers. Newton finished the regular season with 3,379 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also had 585 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

2014 Season

In March 2014, Newton had surgery on his ankle ligaments. This caused him to miss some training time. He also suffered a hairline fracture on his ribs during a preseason game. Newton missed the first game of the season. He made his debut in Week 2, leading the Panthers to a 24–7 victory.

Newton in 2014 in Baltimore

Newton showed great development as a passer. In Week 6, he had a career-high 116 rushing yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns. He had one of his best games against the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

A few days after the Saints game, Newton was in a car accident. He fractured two bones in his lower back. He only missed one game and returned to help the Panthers win their division. Newton led the Panthers to back-to-back division titles for the first time. He became one of only a few quarterbacks in NFL history with four seasons of at least 500 rushing yards.

The Panthers won their first playoff game in nine years against the Arizona Cardinals. However, they lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the next round. Despite dealing with several injuries, Newton was still ranked among the top players in the NFL.

2015: MVP Season and Super Bowl 50

On June 2, 2015, Newton signed a big five-year contract extension with the Panthers. He had an incredible season opener, leading the Panthers to their first opening-day victory with him as quarterback.

Newton continued to lead the Panthers to a strong start. They began the season 3–0, a first since 2003. Experts noticed his continued growth as a quarterback, especially his patience in the pocket. The Panthers achieved their first 6–0 record in franchise history.

Newton playing against the Saints in 2015

In Week 8, Newton led the Panthers to a 7–0 record with an overtime victory against the Indianapolis Colts. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to win a comeback game when trailing in overtime. The Panthers then reached 8–0 for the first time in franchise history.

In Week 11, Newton threw a career-high five touchdown passes against the Washington Redskins. He became the only quarterback in NFL history with over 100 passing touchdowns and 25 rushing touchdowns in his first five seasons. He earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time that season.

Newton led the Panthers to a 14–0 record. He had the second-most touchdown passes and led the NFL with 40 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. He was on the field for 72 percent of the Panthers' total plays.

Newton in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos

The Panthers' perfect season ended with a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. However, they finished the regular season with an amazing 15–1 record, a franchise best. Newton led all NFL quarterbacks in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns in 2015. His 45 total touchdowns were the most by any player since 2013.

Newton was named the 2015 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. He was the second African-American quarterback to win the MVP award. He also earned First-team All-Pro honors and his third Pro Bowl nomination.

In Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016, the Panthers faced the Denver Broncos. The Broncos' strong defense made it a tough game. The Panthers lost 24–10. Newton was sacked six times and had two fumbles. One fumble was crucial late in the game when the Panthers needed to score.

Newton was ranked as the top player in the NFL by his peers after the 2015 season.

2016 Season

Newton in 2016 in Denver

In the first game of the 2016 season, Newton broke two of Steve Young's NFL records. He set a new record for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (44). He also set a record for most games with both a passing and rushing touchdown (32).

In Week 4, Newton suffered a concussion and missed the next game. Later in the season, he was benched for the first offensive play of a game due to a dress code violation. This was the first time he didn't start a professional game.

For the 2016 season, Newton's completion percentage was a career low. He threw 19 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. The Panthers' record dropped to 6–10. Despite this, Newton was still ranked among the top NFL players by his peers.

2017 Season

On March 30, Newton had surgery on his throwing shoulder.

During a press conference on October 4, Newton made comments to a female sportswriter that caused controversy. He later apologized for his remarks.

In Week 10, Newton had a great game against the Miami Dolphins. He threw for 254 yards and rushed for 95 yards, with four total touchdowns. This performance earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He finished the regular season with 3,302 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He also had a career-high 754 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

The Panthers made the playoffs as the #5 seed. They lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round. Newton was ranked 25th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2018–2019: Injury Challenges

The 2018 season started well for Newton and the Panthers. In Week 7, he led a big comeback against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Panthers were down 17–0 in the fourth quarter but won 21–17. This earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

However, Newton began to struggle with a nagging shoulder injury in November. The Panthers lost six games in a row. On January 24, 2019, Newton had surgery on his right shoulder.

Newton against the Washington Redskins in 2018

In a poll of defensive players, Newton was voted the most underrated quarterback in the league. He was ranked 87th by his fellow players.

Newton returned from injury in Week 1 of the 2019 season. However, he was held out of Week 3 due to injury. It was later revealed he had a foot injury. On November 5, the Panthers placed Newton on injured reserve because his injury was healing slowly.

On March 24, 2020, the Panthers officially released Newton.

New England Patriots

After being a free agent for almost three months, Newton signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots on July 8, 2020. He was the first quarterback to take over after Tom Brady left the Patriots. Newton was named the starting quarterback and team captain on September 3.

In his first start with the Patriots, Newton led the team to a 21–11 victory over the Miami Dolphins. He completed 15 of 19 passes and rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 2, he threw for 397 yards and rushed for two touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks.

On October 3, 2020, Newton tested positive for COVID-19. He was activated from the list on October 14. In Week 9, he passed for 274 yards and had two rushing touchdowns against the New York Jets. This was his third game with two rushing touchdowns in 2020, matching his rookie season.

Newton finished the 2020 season with a league-high 12 rushing touchdowns for a quarterback. This was his second-highest total in a season, after his 14 in 2011. However, his passing yards and touchdowns were lower than usual due to his injury-shortened 2019 season.

On March 12, 2021, the Patriots re-signed Newton. He competed with rookie Mac Jones for the starting job. On August 31, Newton was released by the Patriots.

Carolina Panthers: Second Time Around

A young Panthers fan holding a handwritten sign during Newton's first game back at Bank of America Stadium

On November 11, 2021, Newton signed a one-year deal to return to the Panthers. This happened after starting quarterback Sam Darnold got injured.

In his first game back, Newton had a big impact as a backup. He scored touchdowns on his first two plays, helping the Panthers win 34–10. In his return to Carolina the next week, he started and scored two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. Newton remained the starter for the next game but was benched after struggling. He finished the 2021 season with 684 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, five interceptions, 230 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns in six games. The Panthers lost all five games he started.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season

Postseason

Awards and Records

Major Awards

• NFL MVP (2015)
• NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2015)
• Best NFL Player ESPY Award (2016)
• PFWA MVP (2015)
• PFWA All-NFL Team (2015)
• PFWA All-NFC Team (2015)
• Bert Bell Award (2015)
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2011)
• NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month (September 2011)
• 10× NFC Offensive Player of the Week
• PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year (2011)
• Sporting News Rookie of the Year (2011)
• Heisman Trophy winner (2010)
• Consensus All-American (2010)
• First-team All-SEC (2010)

Rookie Records and Achievements

• Most combined touchdowns for a rookie in NFL history (35)
• Most combined yards for a rookie in NFL history (4,784)
• First rookie to pass for at least 4,000 yards
• First and only rookie to pass for more than 4,000 yards and rush for more than 700 yards
• First rookie in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in back-to-back games

NFL Records and Achievements

• Most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history (75)
• Most games in NFL history with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown (32)
• Most Player of the Week awards in a single season (5), tied with Tom Brady
• Only player in NFL history with at least 30 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns in the same season (2015)
• Most combined yards in a player's first five seasons (21,560)
• First player in NFL history with 4,000+ passing yards and 10+ rushing touchdowns in a season
• First player in NFL history with 4,000+ passing yards and 500+ rushing yards in a season
• First player in NFL history with 10,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in his first four seasons
• First quarterback in NFL history to rush for 100+ yards and pass for 300+ yards with 5 touchdowns in a single game (December 20, 2015)
• First quarterback in NFL history to earn a comeback victory when trailing in overtime

Carolina Panthers Team Records

• Most career pass completions (2,371)
• Most career passing yards (29,041)
• Most career passing touchdowns (182)
• Most career rushing touchdowns (58)
• Most combined yards in franchise history
• Most NFC Offensive Player of the Week Awards in a single season (5)

New England Patriots Team Records

• Longest run by a quarterback (49 yards)
• Most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (592)
• Most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season (12)
• First quarterback to catch a touchdown pass

Personal Life

Newton in 2011

Family Life

Cam Newton has eight children. Five of his children are with his former girlfriend, Kia Proctor. He also has a son born in mid-2019 and a daughter born in 2024.

Diet and Faith

Newton used to be a pescetarian, meaning he ate fish but no other meat. As of March 2019, he became a vegan, eating no animal products at all.

Newton is a Christian. He often talks about his faith. After winning the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, he said, "It's just a God thing. I thank God every single day. I'm just His instrument and He's using me on a consistent basis daily."

On December 9, 2014, Newton was in a car accident in Charlotte, North Carolina. His vehicle flipped, and he suffered two back fractures.

Business and Charity

In 2013, Newton started his own clothing line called MADE by Cam Newton with the department store Belk.

In May 2019, Newton opened a cigar bar and restaurant called Fellaship in downtown Atlanta.

Beyond football, Newton is a motivational speaker. He also has a foundation named after him. This foundation works to improve the lives of young people by helping with their education, physical health, and social needs.

Heisman Trophy Ceremony Attendance

In December 2024, Cam Newton attended the Heisman Trophy ceremony. This was his first time at the event since he won the award in 2010. He chose to return to support Travis Hunter, who was a finalist for the 2024 Heisman Trophy.

See also

In Spanish: Cam Newton para niños

• List of Auburn Tigers starting quarterbacks
• List of Carolina Panthers starting quarterbacks
• List of first overall National Football League draft picks
• List of Heisman Trophy winners