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Injuries and time: the rise and fall of Cam Newton

By Alex Crawford

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 04: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers beats Carl Nassib #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the goal line during the first half at Bank of America Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The play was called back on a penalty. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 04: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers beats Carl Nassib #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the goal line during the first half at Bank of America Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The play was called back on a penalty. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Cam Newton has been a dominant quarterback for most of his career, but as injuries pile up, the play declines.

Cam Newton.

That name brings a visceral reaction in many fans across the sports world. From his rocky start in Florida, to his time in junior college. His became a story of  redemption that came full circle in a season at Auburn riddled with brilliance and dominance, but scandal still followed.

Fast forward to the NFL where his 10-year career has seen him shattering records and dabbing his way to the Super Bowl. Super Cam has inspired more think pieces about player conduct in one season than most will in a lifetime. He is also beloved in the Carolina community.

Lately he seems off. What is going on? Injuries & time had led to the rise and fall of Cam Newton.

Heisman winner. Rookie of the Year. League MVP. Fashion icon. Community activist. His career has always been defined by labels but what always shines through was the play on the field.

After a dominant Heisman season at Auburn that resulted in a National Championship, Cam was drafted first overall and picked to turn around the Carolina Panthers. In those first 16 games he:

  • Won Rookie of the Year
  • Most combined touchdowns for a rookie in NFL history (35)
  • Most combined yards for a rookie in NFL history (4,784)
  • First rookie to throw over 4,000 passing yards

Newton was a electrifying quarterback who was defined by his ability to threaten in all facets. As he continued to ascend, his passing ability was still called into question, but what he could do on the ground at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds always made up for it.

Then 2015 happened.

Newton went on one of the most statistically-dominant seasons a quarterback ever has. He totaled 45 touchdowns en route to the MVP, carrying the Panthers to a 15-1 season. Then it fell apart.

A dominant Denver Broncos defense led by Von Miller and the now infamous no-dive on a fumble are what people remember. At his presser he was distant, frustrated and left abruptly, a sad ending to a historic season.

The three seasons since have seen Cam fall dramatically, albeit with flashes of his brilliance. The Panthers are 24-26 since the Super Bowl loss.

Last season they started off 6-2 and Newton looked to be back to his old ways, but the bottom fell out. Newton took a brutal shot from Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, incurred a shoulder injury and hasn’t been the same since.

Cam takes a brutal shot from T.J. Watt that caused a shoulder injury and hasn’t been the same since. They lost 52-21. Up to that point he had 17 touchdowns with five picks and four rushing touchdowns.

The Panthers went 1-7 the rest of the season. Passes in the dirt, over-throwing or under-throwing receivers. Newton kept playing, even as the Panthers slipped. In the offseason came intensive shoulder surgery.

In the preseason, Newton hurt his foot. The injuries have piled up for Cam and it is becoming clear in his game.

Last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he looked terrible. Aside from the low completion percentage, there are other indicators that do not show up on the stat sheet that something is off. Missed passes on easy throws, poor decisions, timid running style, etc.

In two games this season, Cam has -2 rushing yards and two fumbles with no passing touchdowns. He has lost eight straight games .

As he approaches Randall Cunningham for second-most rushing yards by a quarterback, it is important to remember the dominance of Cam as a dual-threat quarterback:

  • Most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback ever with 58
  • Most games in NFL history with a passing and rushing touchdowns in career with 32 and season with eight
  • Only player ever with 30 passing and 10 rushing touchdowns in a season
  • First QB to win offensive Rookie of the Year and MVP
  • First player with 3000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards in 5 straight seasons
  • First quarterback in NFL history with multiple seasons of 20+ passing touchdowns and 10+ rushing touchdowns in a season
  • 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

The Panthers win 76 percent of games when he runs 10+ times. When he rushes less than five times? 35 percent.

Fans and analysts alike are starting to notice the slip Cam has had and so has he. Hopefully he can find a way to turn it around and become the dominant force he once was.

If not, he will be another quarterback who time and injuries were not friendly to.

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