Career Timeline of Cam Newton: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Cam Newton made an impact.

Cam Newton, nicknamed "Super Cam", is a former NFL quarterback known for his rushing ability. He holds the NFL record for quarterback rushing touchdowns and ranks third in rushing yards. After playing college football for the Florida Gators, he transferred to Auburn, winning the Heisman Trophy and a national championship in 2011. The Carolina Panthers selected him first overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, where he spent the majority of his 11 seasons.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2002: New Primary Starter for the Patriots

Cam Newton being named starting quarterback for the Patriots on September 3, 2020, made him the team's first new primary starter since 2002.

2003: First 3-0 Start

In 2015, Cam Newton helped lead the Panthers to a 3-0 start, the first time they had done so since the 2003 NFL season.

2006: NFL Offensive Player of the Week Award

In 2015, Cam Newton was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the fourth time in a seven-week span. Newton became the NFL's first player to win the award four times in a seven-week span since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.

2007: Joined Florida Gators football team

In 2007, Cam Newton joined the Florida Gators football team at the University of Florida.

2007: NFC Offensive Player of the Week Awards

In 2015, Cam Newton became the first player to win five NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards in a nine-week span within a season, and his five awards tied for the most in a season in NFL history with Tom Brady, who achieved this in 2007.

2007: Player of the Week Feat

In 2015, Cam Newton was named NFC Offensive Player of the week for the third time in five weeks. The last time a player achieved that feat was in 2007, when Tom Brady of the New England Patriots won three player of the week awards in five weeks.

2008: Medical Redshirt Season

During his sophomore season in 2008, Cam Newton sustained an ankle injury in the season opener against Hawaii and took a medical redshirt season.

January 2009: Transferred to Blinn College

In January 2009, Cam Newton transferred to Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, to play football.

September 4, 2010: Auburn Debut

On September 4, 2010, Cam Newton started the first game of Auburn University's season, winning against Arkansas State and accounting for 186 passing yards, 171 rushing yards, and five total touchdowns, earning him SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

December 4, 2010: SEC Championship Victory

On December 4, 2010, Cam Newton led the Auburn Tigers to their first SEC Championship since 2004, defeating South Carolina 56–17, setting an SEC Championship Game record for most points scored and largest margin of victory, and was named the game MVP.

January 10, 2011: BCS National Championship Win

On January 10, 2011, Cam Newton led Auburn to a 22–19 victory against the Oregon Ducks in Glendale, Arizona, to win the BCS National Championship Game.

January 2011: Newton works out with George Whitfield Jr.

In January 2011, Cam Newton began working out with George Whitfield Jr. in San Diego to prepare for the NFL draft. Whitfield has worked with other quarterbacks such as Ben Roethlisberger and Akili Smith.

April 28, 2011: Newton selected first overall in the NFL draft

On April 28, 2011, Cam Newton was selected first overall in the 2011 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers, making him the first reigning Heisman Trophy winner to go first overall since Carson Palmer in 2003. He was Auburn's fourth No. 1 selection. He was also the fifth player from Blinn College to be drafted and the first to be selected in the first round.

July 29, 2011: Newton signs with the Carolina Panthers

On July 29, 2011, Cam Newton signed a four-year contract worth over $22 million with the Carolina Panthers, which was fully guaranteed. He decided to keep the No. 1 jersey after unsuccessfully negotiating for No. 2. Mike Shula, former head football coach of his college rival Alabama, was his quarterbacks coach.

September 1, 2011: Newton named starting quarterback for the Panthers

On September 1, 2011, Cam Newton was named the Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback, ahead of Derek Anderson and Jimmy Clausen.

September 11, 2011: Newton's NFL debut

On September 11, 2011, in his NFL debut, Cam Newton passed for 422 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a 28–21 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He also rushed for a touchdown and set a rookie record for passing yards in his first game with a quarterback rating of 110.4.

December 4, 2011: Newton sets NFL rushing touchdown record for quarterbacks

On December 4, 2011, Cam Newton set the NFL rushing touchdown record for quarterbacks, rushing for his 13th touchdown of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also caught a 27-yard pass in a 38-19 win and earned his first NFC Offensive Player of the Week nomination.

December 24, 2011: Newton breaks Peyton Manning's rookie passing record

On December 24, 2011, Cam Newton threw for 171 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown in a 48–16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He broke Peyton Manning's record of 3,739 passing yards for a rookie.

2011: Drafted into NFL

In 2011, Cam Newton was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers in the NFL draft.

January 1, 2012: Newton becomes first rookie quarterback to pass for 4,000 yards

On January 1, 2012, against the New Orleans Saints, Cam Newton threw for 158 yards and became the first rookie quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards. He finished his rookie season with 4,051 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 706 rushing yards, and 14 rushing touchdowns.

January 22, 2012: Newton named to Pro Bowl

On January 22, 2012, Cam Newton was selected for the Pro Bowl after the New York Giants defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. He participated in the Pro Bowl due to Eli Manning's Super Bowl appearance.

February 4, 2012: Newton named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year

On February 4, 2012, Cam Newton was named both AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. He received his awards at the NFL Honors award show and was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He earned the nickname Superman due to his touchdown celebration.

2013: Playoff Appearance

Between 2013 and 2017, Cam Newton led the Panthers to four playoff appearances and three division titles.

2013: Clothing Line Partnership with Belk

In 2013, Cam Newton partnered with Southern department store chain Belk on his own clothing line, MADE by Cam Newton.

2013: Passing Improvement

In 2013, Cam Newton took an average of 2.73 seconds to attempt a pass, and got the ball out in under 2.5 seconds on 40% of his drop-backs.

2014: Newton selected for the 2014 Pro Bowl

In 2014, Cam Newton was selected for the 2014 Pro Bowl. The week after he lost his first NFL playoff game to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round. Newton was drafted third in the first annual Pro Bowl Draft, by Team Sanders. Newton was rated as the 24th best player on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014 list.

2014: Opening Day Victory

In 2014, the Panthers won their NFL opening-day game with an injured Cam Newton on the sidelines.

June 2, 2015: Contract Extension

On June 2, 2015, the Panthers and Cam Newton agreed to a five-year, $103.8 million contract extension.

2015: Named NFL MVP

In 2015, Cam Newton was named the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) and helped Carolina obtain a franchise-best 15–1 record, leading to an appearance in Super Bowl 50.

2016: Hosting All in with Cam Newton

In 2016, Newton hosted All in with Cam Newton.

2017: Playoff Appearance

Between 2013 and 2017, Cam Newton led the Panthers to four playoff appearances and three division titles.

February 2019: Launched YouTube Channel

In February 2019, Cam Newton launched his YouTube channel, which he has updated consistently since.

May 2019: Fellaship Restaurant Opening

In May 2019, Cam Newton's cigar bar and restaurant named Fellaship formally opened at Olympic Park Drive near Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

March 17, 2020: Panthers Grant Permission to Seek Trade

On March 17, 2020, the Panthers announced that they had given Cam Newton permission to seek a trade.

July 8, 2020: Signing with the New England Patriots

On July 8, 2020, Cam Newton signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. The contract included a base salary of $1.05 million and a maximum value of $7.5 million.