Cameron Jerrell Newton is an American football quarterback who has played in the NFL for 11 seasons. Known as 'Super Cam', he holds the record for career quarterback rushing touchdowns and is second in career quarterback rushing yards. After playing for the Florida Gators, Newton transferred to Auburn University, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led the team to victory in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. He was the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers.
1960: Newton Achieves Notable Career Milestone
By the end of Week 3 in the 2015 NFL season, Cam Newton had marked the 14th time in his career where he had two-plus touchdown passes and at least one rushing touchdown, ranking third-most in the NFL since 1960.
1965: Auburn's first No. 1 NFL Draft selection
In 1965, Tucker Frederickson became Auburn's first player to be selected as the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. This set a precedent for future Auburn players like Cam Newton to achieve similar success.
1971: Newton breaks Pat Sullivan's school record
In 1971, Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan set a school record for most touchdowns in a single season with 27. This record was broken by Cam Newton on October 23, 2010, during a game against LSU, marking a significant milestone in Auburn football history.
1983: Father's NFL Career
Cam Newton's father, Cecil Newton Sr., played as a safety for the Dallas Cowboys in 1983. This connection to professional football would later influence Cam's own career in the sport.
1984: Father's NFL Career
In 1984, Cecil Newton Sr., Cam Newton's father, continued his NFL career by playing for the Buffalo Bills. The professional sports environment of his family significantly impacted Cam's future football career.
1986: Bo Jackson selected No. 1 overall
In 1986, Bo Jackson was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, becoming one of Auburn's most notable players. This was a significant milestone for Auburn football, later mirrored by Cam Newton in 2011.
1988: Aundray Bruce selected No. 1 overall
In 1988, Aundray Bruce was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, adding to Auburn's legacy of producing top NFL talent. This paved the way for future players like Cam Newton.
May 11, 1989: Born
Cameron Jerrell Newton was born on May 11, 1989, in Atlanta. He would grow to become a prominent American football quarterback known as 'Super Cam', excelling in the NFL for 11 seasons and setting multiple records.
2003: Carson Palmer selected first overall
In 2003, Carson Palmer was selected as the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. He was the last reigning Heisman Trophy winner to achieve this before Cam Newton accomplished the same in 2011.
2003: Panthers Achieve 3-0 Start
Cam Newton helped lead the Panthers to a 3–0 start for the first time since the 2003 NFL season. His performance through the first three games was pivotal, accounting for 76% of the total offensive yards and 88% of the total touchdowns for the Panthers.
2004: Auburn's last SEC Championship before Newton
In 2004, Auburn won its last SEC Championship before Cam Newton led them to another title in 2010. This highlighted a significant gap and underscored Newton's impact on the team's success.
2006: Newton's Player of the Week Feat Matches LaDainian Tomlinson
In 2015, Cam Newton became the NFL's first player to win the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award four times in a seven-week span since San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.
2007: Joined Florida Gators
Cam Newton joined the Florida Gators football team in 2007, where he served as the backup quarterback to Tim Tebow. This was his initial step into college football, showcasing his potential early on.
2007: Committed to University of Florida
In 2007, Cam Newton committed to the University of Florida at the beginning of his senior year in high school. He became part of the top-rated recruiting class in the country, setting the stage for his future football career.
2007: Newton Ties Tom Brady's Player of the Week Record
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. His five awards tied for the most in a season in NFL history, matching Tom Brady's record set in 2007.
2007: Newton Matches Tom Brady's 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 this was in 2007 when Tom Brady won three player of the week awards in five weeks while leading the New England Patriots during an undefeated regular season.
November 21, 2008: Arrest and Suspension
On November 21, 2008, Cam Newton was arrested on felony charges of burglary, larceny, and obstruction of justice. He was accused of stealing a laptop from a fellow University of Florida student, leading to his suspension from the team. The charges were later dropped after he completed a pre-trial diversion program.
2008: Injury and Redshirt Season
In 2008, during his sophomore season, Cam Newton sustained an ankle injury in the season opener against Hawaii. This led him to take a medical redshirt season, temporarily halting his progress in college football.
January 2009: Transferred to Blinn College
In January 2009, Cam Newton transferred to Blinn College in Texas. Under head coach Brad Franchione, he led the team to the NJCAA National Football Championship and was named a Juco All-America honorable mention, becoming the most recruited Juco quarterback in the country.
September 4, 2010: Starting Quarterback for Auburn
On September 4, 2010, Cam Newton started his first game for Auburn University, leading the team to a victory over Arkansas State. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week following his outstanding performance, which included 186 passing yards, 171 rushing yards, and five touchdowns.
November 2010: Faced Academic Dishonesty Allegations
In November 2010, it was reported that Cam Newton faced potential expulsion from the University of Florida due to academic dishonesty, prior to his transfer from the institution. This period marked a significant challenge in his early career.
November 2010: Controversy over Newton's recruitment
In November 2010, Cam Newton's father, Cecil Newton, was accused of soliciting large sums of money for his son's athletic services, violating NCAA rules. Despite the allegations, Auburn maintained Cam Newton's eligibility, asserting no involvement in any pay-for-play scheme.
December 4, 2010: Newton leads Auburn to SEC Championship
On December 4, 2010, Cam Newton led Auburn to their first SEC Championship since 2004, defeating South Carolina 56–17. Newton set an SEC Championship Game record for most points scored and largest margin of victory and was named MVP for his performance.
2010: Newton's remarkable 2010 season
In 2010, Cam Newton had a standout season, leading Auburn to multiple victories and earning numerous accolades. Some sportswriters argue it is the best single season by a player in NCAA history due to Newton's dominance with relatively little talent around him.
January 10, 2011: Auburn wins BCS National Championship
On January 10, 2011, Auburn defeated the Oregon Ducks 22–19 to win the BCS National Championship. Cam Newton threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns, and despite a fumble, led a crucial drive that ended with a game-winning field goal.
January 2011: Newton begins training with George Whitfield Jr.
In January 2011, Cam Newton started training with renowned quarterback coach George Whitfield Jr. in San Diego. Whitfield had previously worked with notable quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and Akili Smith.
April 28, 2011: Newton selected first overall in 2011 NFL Draft
On April 28, 2011, Cam Newton was selected with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. He became the first reigning Heisman Trophy winner to go first overall since Carson Palmer in 2003, and the first to win the Heisman, a national championship, and be the top pick consecutively.
July 29, 2011: Cam Newton Signs Contract with 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. This marked a significant milestone in his professional career.
September 1, 2011: Newton Named Starting Quarterback for Panthers
On September 1, 2011, Cam Newton was named the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, surpassing Derek Anderson and Jimmy Clausen. This was a crucial step in his budding NFL career.
September 11, 2011: Newton's Record-Breaking NFL Debut
On September 11, 2011, in his NFL debut game, Cam Newton threw for 422 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, setting a rookie record for most passing yards in a debut game. Despite a 28–21 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Newton's performance was notable with a quarterback rating of 110.4.
October 2011: NCAA concludes investigation into Newton's recruitment
In October 2011, the NCAA closed its 13-month investigation into Cam Newton's recruitment, finding no evidence of illicit recruiting by Auburn. The investigation confirmed that Cecil Newton solicited money only from Mississippi State, not from any other institution.
December 4, 2011: Newton Sets NFL Rushing Touchdown Record
On December 4, 2011, Cam Newton set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season, with his 13th rushing touchdown in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Newton also scored three rushing touchdowns in the game, contributing to a 38–19 win.
December 24, 2011: Newton Breaks Manning's Rookie Passing Yard Record
On December 24, 2011, Cam Newton broke Peyton Manning's rookie passing yard record by throwing for 171 yards and three touchdowns in a 48–16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown.
2011: League-high 12 quarterback rushing touchdowns
In 2011, Newton finished the season with a league-high 12 quarterback rushing touchdowns, the second-highest in a season behind his 14 in 2011. This achievement marked a significant milestone in his career.
2011: First Overall Pick in NFL Draft
In 2011, Cam Newton was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers in the NFL Draft. His college career included playing for the Auburn Tigers, where he won the Heisman Trophy and the BCS National Championship Game as a junior.
2011: Newton Records 36th Career Rushing Touchdown
During the first five weeks of the 2015 season, Cam Newton recorded a career-high 67.6% of passes under pressure. By Week 5, he had also recorded the 36th career rushing touchdown of his career. Since 2011, only Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson had recorded more rushing touchdowns over that span.
January 1, 2012: Newton Becomes First Rookie QB to Throw for 4,000 Yards
On January 1, 2012, Cam Newton became the first rookie quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season, achieving this milestone in a game against the New Orleans Saints. He finished his rookie season with 4,051 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 rushing touchdowns.
January 22, 2012: Newton Named to Pro Bowl
On January 22, 2012, Cam Newton was named to the Pro Bowl as an NFC alternate after the New York Giants won the NFC Championship. Newton finished the Pro Bowl with 186 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
February 4, 2012: Newton Wins Offensive Rookie of the Year
On February 4, 2012, Cam Newton was named both the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. He received his awards at the inaugural NFL Honors show, marking a significant recognition of his outstanding rookie season.
2012: Newton's First Game with Two Rushing Touchdowns Since 2012
In the regular-season finale of 2015, Cam Newton had his first game with two rushing touchdowns since Week 12 of the 2012 season. He also tied his season-best completion percentage and threw for almost 300 yards.
2012: Newton's Career-High Rushing Game
In 2012, Cam Newton had a standout performance in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons where he recorded a career-high 116 rushing yards, along with 287 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. This remarkable game contributed to the Panthers' 30-20 victory.
2013: Clothing line partnership
In 2013, Newton partnered with the Southern department store chain Belk to launch his own clothing line, MADE by Cam Newton.
2013: Panthers' 2013 Season and Newton's Performance
The 2013 season started rough for Cam Newton and the Panthers with a 1-3 start, but they bounced back with an eight-game winning streak starting in Week 5. Newton was consistent during this stretch, recording 13 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns. The Panthers finished the regular season with a 12-4 record and Newton was selected for the 2014 Pro Bowl. He was rated as the 24th best player on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014 list.
2013: Newton's 45 Total Touchdowns Most Since 2013
Cam Newton's 45 total touchdowns during the 2015 regular season marked the most touchdowns by a single player since 2013.
2013: Led Panthers to Playoffs
In 2013, Cam Newton led the Carolina Panthers to one of their four playoff appearances during his tenure with the team. His leadership helped the team secure multiple division titles between 2013 and 2017.
2013: Cam Newton's Second Professional Season
In 2013, Cam Newton had a challenging yet statistically improving second professional season. Despite starting the season with a 16-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a subsequent five-game losing streak, Newton showed notable performances, including a season-high 314 passing yards against the Chicago Bears and a career-high 116 rushing yards against the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the season with 3,869 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 741 rushing yards, and 8 rushing touchdowns. The Panthers ended the season with a 7-9 record, and Newton was ranked 46th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013 list.
2013: Improvement in Passing Efficiency
During the first six games of the 2013 season, Cam Newton showed significant improvement in passing efficiency, averaging 2.53 seconds to attempt a pass compared to 2.73 seconds in 2013. His development as a pocket passer was noted by various football analysts.
March 21, 2014: Cam Newton's Ankle Surgery
On March 21, 2014, Cam Newton underwent surgery to tighten his ankle ligaments, an issue he had dealt with since his college days at Auburn University. The estimated recovery time was four months, causing him to miss training camp and the first preseason game. Newton made his season debut during the Panthers' home opener, recording 300 yards of offense in a 24-7 victory over the Detroit Lions.
December 9, 2014: Car accident
On December 9, 2014, Newton was involved in a car accident in Charlotte where his vehicle flipped, leading to two back fractures.
2014: First NFL Opening-Day Victory for Newton
During the 2014 season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cam Newton achieved his first NFL opening-day victory. Even though the Panthers won their opener in 2014, Newton was injured and did not play.
2014: Cam Newton's First NFL Playoff Game
In 2014, Cam Newton lost his first NFL playoff game to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round. Despite the loss, Newton had 267 passing yards, one touchdown, and 54 rushing yards. This performance followed a regular season where he recorded 3,379 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.
March 2015: Top Merchandise Sales
From March 2015 to February 2016, Cam Newton sold the 7th-most NFL merchandise, demonstrating his popularity among fans during this period.
June 2, 2015: Panthers and Newton Agree to Contract Extension
On June 2, 2015, the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton agreed to a five-year, $103.8 million contract extension. This deal marked a significant moment in Newton's career as he continued to develop as a leading quarterback in the NFL.
2015: MVP Season and Super Bowl Appearance
Cam Newton had his most successful season in 2015, when he was named the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) and led the Carolina Panthers to a franchise-best 15–1 record. The team advanced to Super Bowl 50 under his leadership, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2015: Newton Selected as 2015 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year
Cam Newton was selected as the 2015 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year by the PFWA. He led NFL quarterbacks in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns in 2015.
2015: Graduated from Auburn University
In 2015, Cam Newton graduated from Auburn University with a degree in sociology. This accomplishment came years after his successful college football career and added an educational milestone to his achievements.
2015: Panthers' First Playoff Win in Nine Years
In 2015, Cam Newton led the Panthers to their first playoff win in nine years during the Wild Card Round against the Arizona Cardinals. Newton threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns while running for 35 yards. Despite this victory, the Panthers were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round. Newton was rated the 73rd best player in the NFL on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015.
February 6, 2016: Cam Newton Named NFL MVP
On February 6, 2016, Cam Newton was named the NFL MVP, becoming the second African-American quarterback to receive the honor, and the first sole recipient since Steve McNair in 2003. Newton also earned First-team All-Pro honors and his third Pro Bowl nomination on this date.
February 7, 2016: Super Bowl 50
On February 7, 2016, Cam Newton played in Super Bowl 50. The Carolina Panthers' top-ranked offense faced the Denver Broncos' top-ranked defense, but the Panthers lost 24–10. Newton was sacked six times, fumbled twice, and threw an interception in the game.
2016: Challenging 2016 Season
In 2016, Cam Newton faced several challenges, including a concussion and being benched for a dress code violation. Despite these setbacks, he surpassed two of Steve Young's NFL records and tied Otto Graham's all-time professional American football mark of 44 rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
2016: Struggles in 2016 Season
In 2016, Cam Newton completed only 52.9 percent of his passes, marking a career worst. He threw 19 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions, with the Panthers finishing the season with a 6–10 record.
2017: Panthers Division Titles
By 2017, Cam Newton had helped the Carolina Panthers secure three division titles since his arrival. His consistent performance was key to the team's success over these years.
2018: 2018 Season Highlights
In 2018, Cam Newton threw for 3,302 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, along with a career-high 754 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. The Panthers made the playoffs as the #5-seed but lost to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round.
2018: NFC Offensive Player of the Week
In 2018, Cam Newton was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Panthers to a comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He passed for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the final quarter of the game.
January 24, 2019: Shoulder Surgery
On January 24, 2019, Cam Newton underwent right shoulder surgery. This came after a challenging season during which he struggled with a nagging shoulder injury.
March 2019: Newton becomes a vegan
As of March 2019, Newton became a vegan. Some dietitians suggested that this change in diet may have delayed his injury recovery in the following season.
May 2019: Opening of Fellaship
In May 2019, Newton's cigar bar and restaurant named Fellaship formally opened near Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.
2019: Most Underrated Quarterback
In 2019, Cam Newton was voted the most underrated quarterback in the league by 85 defensive players from 25 teams in a poll by The Athletic. He was also ranked 87th on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
2019: Personal challenges in 2019
In mid-2019, Newton fathered a son with an Instagram model months before his fourth child with Proctor was born. Newton and Proctor split later that year as a result of the affair.
March 17, 2020: Permission to Seek Trade
On March 17, 2020, the Panthers announced they had given Cam Newton permission to seek a trade. However, after failing to find a trade partner, the team officially released him on March 24.
July 8, 2020: Signed with New England Patriots
On July 8, 2020, Cam Newton signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. He was named starting quarterback and team captain on September 3, becoming the first new primary starter since 2002.
October 3, 2020: Tested Positive for COVID-19
On October 3, 2020, Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19, which led to his placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list and postponed the Patriots' Week 4 game against the Chiefs by one day. He was activated from the list on October 14.
2020: Joined New England Patriots
In 2020, Cam Newton joined the New England Patriots after being released by the Carolina Panthers. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in his professional football career.
March 12, 2021: Patriots re-sign Newton
On March 12, 2021, the Patriots re-signed Cam Newton to a one-year deal worth up to $13.6 million. Newton competed with rookie first-round draft pick Mac Jones for the starting quarterback position during training camp.
November 11, 2021: Newton signs with Panthers
On November 11, 2021, Newton signed a one-year deal worth up to $10 million to return to the Carolina Panthers, following an injury to starting quarterback Sam Darnold. The deal included $4.5 million fully guaranteed and a $1.5 million roster bonus.
2021: Returned to Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton returned to the Carolina Panthers midway through the 2021 season after being released by the New England Patriots. However, he was not re-signed by the Panthers afterward.