Cam Newton wasn’t the only person to help turn the lowly 2010 Carolina Panthers into Super Bowl contenders over a few years’ time. A lot of credit also belongs to ex-head coach Ron Rivera, who might not see the beginning of that rebuild quite the same as his former quarterback.
Rivera chatted with Joe Person of The Athletic this week regarding a wide range of Panthers topics, both past and present. Person reached into the past to ask the winningest coach in franchise history for his thoughts on the 2011 team—which Newton recently (and controversially) referred to as a “locker room of losers.”
In case you need a refresher . . .
Here was Rivera’s response:
“Sometimes things are better left unsaid. And I’d loved to have seen him be a little more diplomatic. Just because a lot of those guys on that 2010 team became some of those guys that went to the Super Bowl in 2015. It’s unfortunate he made the comments and now he’s just gotta live with them and own up.”
Those comments sparked a bit of pushback from a handful of former teammates—including wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz and defensive end Charles Johnson:
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. (@SteveSmithSr89) February 10, 2025
Cam came into a locker room with a HoF WR, 2 OL and 2 RBs who either made a Pro Bowl and/or All Pro, two LBs who were All Pros in their careers, plus other high level contributors like Charles Johnson, Chris Gamble, Travelle and more … wasn’t a bum locker room.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) February 11, 2025
A professional calling his teammates losers will never sit well with me. Don’t care what no one says. We all battle together. Not just one person. It’s never one person who will win a game. That’s ego talking! Team game, respect the guys. Just my opinion just like his
JAO
— charles johnson (@randywattson) February 11, 2025
Rivera and Newton led the Panthers, who were a league-worst 2-14 in 2010, to a 6-10 record in their first season together. They’d go on to amass three NFC South titles and the organization’s second-ever NFC championship between 2013 and 2015.