Death, taxes and Cam Newton making people . . . well . . . you know the rest, Carolina Panthers fans.
The franchise’s all-time leading passer made quite a stir on Thursday morning, after stating on ESPN’s First Take that he wouldn’t trade his Most Valuable Player award for a Super Bowl ring.
Stephen A. Smith: “Cam, if you could give back that league MVP for a Super Bowl championship, would you do it?”
Cam Newton: “No” pic.twitter.com/b1wVO2i7Nh
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 30, 2025
But instead of just hearing him out and moving on with their days, quite a few folks had to add their own two cents into Newton’s point of view. (And we can’t say we didn’t expect it.)
Here are some of the most interesting reactions (both positive and negative) to Cam’s take:
Cam appears to be conflating an MVP season with cultural “impact” or influence on the sport. One could argue Cam’s impact on both would be the same even if Carson Palmer or Tom Brady won that 2015 MVP.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 30, 2025
an MVP or a Super Bowl Championship?
Cam Newton preferring individual success (MVP) over team success (Super Bowl) and attempting to rationalize the me-first choice…
…while lifelong New England Patriot Devin McCourty stares at him is incredible TVpic.twitter.com/BvL9GDyB10
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 30, 2025
Should tell you everything you need to know about Cam Newton. I think if you asked Lamar today, if he’d give up both MVPs he has and throw in his likely 3rd in exchange for a Super Bowl, you wouldn’t even finish the question before he could say YES. https://t.co/6a7maIbBFc
— Nate Geary (@NateGearySports) January 30, 2025
Cam Newton confirming he would rather win league MVP than a Super Bowl
I’ll give him credit for one thing…he’s honest pic.twitter.com/nfSr5xx0Gg
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) January 30, 2025
Here’s the thing man, Cam Newton is right and football fans and media cap about how much Super Bowls actually matter to a player’s legacy. That’s just reserved for players they like lol.
— Black Dada Nihilismus (@Deuce1042) January 30, 2025
idk if I’d trade the experience of that season by Cam for a different outcome in SB50 https://t.co/RrIkOzroJK
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) January 30, 2025
Cam Newton gave the Panthers everything. Even played through 2018 when he probably should’ve held out for an extension.
They didn’t extend him then he ended up getting hurt and his career fizzled.
I don’t blame him for caring more about his MVP than giving this team a ring https://t.co/hj1TDQhyfx
— The 4 Man Rush (@4ourmanrush) January 30, 2025
They love honesty… until it doesn’t fit their narrative
https://t.co/aSlJ94sSKB
— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) January 30, 2025