In a fiery exchange that reignited old tensions, Carolina Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. lashed out at former teammate Cam Newton for calling the team “losers” prior to being selected first overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. The impassioned wide receiver, who is among the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, took grave exception to Newton’s disparaging remarks about the Panthers’ losing culture before his arrival.
The incendiary comments from Newton came during a recent appearance on University of Colorado standout Travis Hunter’s podcast, “The Travis Hunter Show.” While discussing the immense pressure that comes with being the top draft pick, the former MVP quarterback reflected on the challenges he faced stepping into a downtrodden Carolina locker room as a rookie.
“My issue is that, when I was the first pick, I went into a locker room of losers,” Newton boldly proclaimed. “Just honest. Guys didn’t know how to win; guys didn’t know how to prepare. They didn’t take themselves serious to realize we was 2-14. There was a lot of 2-14 in the mentality of those guys.”
– Cam Newton on “The Travis Hunter Show”
Smith, who toiled through that trying 2-14 campaign in 2010, wasted no time firing back at Newton’s scathing assessment. In a series of impassioned posts on X, the prolific pass-catcher made his displeasure with his ex-quarterback’s comments abundantly clear.
“53 man lockeroom – 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking news to 89! 🤬”
– Steve Smith Sr. on X
Not content to leave it there, the animated Smith unleashed an even more pointed rebuke just hours later:
“I’ve watched & listened from a far as U @CameronNewton talk about @Panthers! None of us are perfect. Yes We were 2-14 before you blessed us w ur presence. The way you have talked about @panthers lately I’m very disappointed. I wish u nothing but the very best. I’m done!!!”
– Steve Smith Sr. on X
Tension Simmering Beneath the Surface
The heated exchange belies long-simmering tension between Newton and Smith dating back to their three tumultuous seasons as teammates from 2011 to 2013. Though Newton burst onto the scene as a dynamic dual-threat playmaker, capturing Offensive Rookie of the Year honors while rapidly transforming the Panthers into a perennial contender, his ascent wasn’t without its rough patches.
Smith, an established superstar and the most accomplished player in franchise history, frequently clashed with the brash young quarterback as they struggled to establish an on-field rapport. The fiery veterans’ frustrations with Newton’s maturation process often boiled over, both during games and behind the scenes.
Despite their interpersonal friction, Newton and Smith did enjoy flashes of brilliance together, most notably during the quarterback’s historic 2015 MVP campaign. With Newton amassing 45 total touchdowns and leading the high-powered Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl berth, Smith proved he could still be a valuable complementary weapon even as his role diminished.
Newton’s Complicated Panthers Legacy
While Newton unquestionably elevated the Panthers to unprecedented heights during his nine-year run as the face of the franchise, his tenure was equally marked by inconsistency and controversy. When the team reached Super Bowl 50 at the end of his magical 2015 season, Newton drew widespread criticism for his listless performance and perceived lack of effort in the crushing loss to the Denver Broncos.
His superhuman talent and infectious charisma were often overshadowed by questions about his leadership, dedication, and maturity. As injuries and ineffectiveness began to mount in the latter stages of his Panthers career, the organization made the difficult decision to move on from the best statistical quarterback in team history.
Smith Defends Panthers’ Honor
For Smith, Newton’s recent comments disparaging the culture and competitive character of his Carolina teammates crossed a sacred line. Though he acknowledges his own complicated history with the Panthers, the legendary receiver made it clear that besmirching the entire locker room was a bridge too far.
“I’ve never backed down from my words. However calling the men in the lockeroom losers isn’t slander it’s disrespectful!”
– Steve Smith Sr. on X
Smith’s impassioned defense of his erstwhile colleagues is hardly surprising given his well-earned reputation as one of the NFL’s most intense competitors. Over 16 stellar seasons, 13 of them in Carolina, the diminutive dynamo established himself as the Panthers’ all-time leader in every major receiving category.
- 14,731 receiving yards
- 1,031 receptions
- 89 touchdowns
- 51 games with 100+ receiving yards
As he prepares for his fourth year of Hall of Fame eligibility, Smith’s legacy as one of the greatest players in Panthers history is firmly secure. His fiery demeanor and unrelenting competitive spirit made him a fan favorite and a locker room leader throughout his storied tenure in Carolina.
Implications for Newton’s NFL Future
For Newton, who last played for the Panthers in 2019 and recently signaled his desire to resume his NFL career after a year away from the game, the imbroglio with Smith is an unwelcome distraction. As he angles for one more opportunity to reestablish himself as a franchise quarterback, the 33-year-old can ill afford to be perceived as a disruptive locker room presence.
Though his individual accomplishments are undeniable – he remains the Panthers’ all-time leader in passing yards (29,041) and touchdowns (182) – Newton’s once-sterling reputation has been tarnished by his unceremonious exits from Carolina and New England. If he hopes to convince a quarterback-needy team to take a chance on him, repairing his fractured relationships with former coaches and teammates would be a wise first step.
As two of the most iconic and influential figures in Carolina Panthers history, Steve Smith Sr. and Cam Newton will be forever linked in the franchise’s lore. Their spectacular highs and dispiriting lows helped define an era of unprecedented success and national relevance for the organization. That they now find themselves trading barbs in the public sphere is a sad denouement to their shared narrative.
With Smith poised to receive the ultimate validation for his Hall of Fame-worthy career and Newton still desperately chasing vindication after his precipitous fall from the NFL’s elite ranks, both men stand at a crossroads. For now, the rift between them appears wider than ever, another cautionary tale of how quickly the bonds forged in the cauldron of NFL competition can fracture and deteriorate.
