Amidst a stream of some pretty heated pushback towards Cam Newton’s comments about the 2010/2011 Carolina Panthers, former running back Jonathan Stewart has brought a bit of rationality to the table.
Newton has drawn the ire of a few former teammates for his remarks about his old squad. When chatting with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter last week about the pressures of being a No. 1 overall pick, the former No. 1 overall pick stated the following:
That got former wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. going this past Monday:
53 man lockeroom – 1 = 52 losers
Wow… breaking news to 89!
https://t.co/sLYEbSxH3i
— Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) February 10, 2025
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’s remarks caught the attention of other ex-teammates as well, including former defensive end Charles Johnson and former offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz:
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
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
Stewart also offered his two cents on the topic during this week’s episode of the Bleav in Panthers podcast:
the winning locker room, Super Bowl LIX + more https://t.co/O2fFUhqRaT pic.twitter.com/B1RmLsJyvz
— Jonathan Stewart (@Jonathanstewar1) February 12, 2025
Like Smith Sr., Johnson and Schwartz, Stewart was a member of the 2-14 team in 2010. That marked his third NFL campaign, where he ran for 770 yards and two touchdowns.
The franchise’s eventual all-time leading rusher, however, stuck in with the franchise’s eventual all-time leading passer and the franchise’s all-time leading receiver to post a 6-10 record in 2011, a 7-9 record in 2012 and then an NFC South-winning 12-4 record in 2013.
So hopefully, the all-time leaders can all come together to put this—like 2010 and 2011—behind them.