Former Carolina Panthers star Steve Smith Sr. got here to the protection of his former teammates on Tuesday after Cam Newton described the gamers as “losers” earlier than the quarterback obtained there.
The Panthers chosen Smith within the third spherical of the 2001 draft. Ten years later, the Panthers discovered their franchise quarterback in Newton with the No. 1 general decide. Carolina had been to the playoffs 3 times, together with making a Tremendous Bowl look, earlier than Newton was chosen.
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Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith, #89, and Cam Newton, #1, share amusing in the course of the first half of an NFL preseason soccer sport towards the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photograph/Mike McCarn, File)
Carolina was 2-14 in 2010, which landed the crew the No. 1 general decide. Newton got here in and ultimately helped enhance the crew to division winners. They made Tremendous Bowl 50 – solely to lose to the Denver Broncos. Smith left the crew after the 2013 season.
Newton’s “losers” comment got here throughout an “Time beyond regulation” podcast interview when requested what kind of pressures Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter could face upon getting into the league.
“You might doubtlessly be the primary decide, however, bro, you don’t have any method of impacting the sport the best way a quarterback does,” Newton stated. “You possibly can lock down the No. 1 receiver. You can also make affect performs on offense all you need but it surely’s nonetheless not like a quarterback. My problem is that, once I was the primary decide, I went right into a locker room of losers. Simply trustworthy.
“Guys didn’t know learn how to win; guys didn’t know learn how to put together. They didn’t take themselves severe to appreciate we was 2-14. There was plenty of 2-14 within the mentality of these guys.”
Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith, #89, and Cam Newton, #1, rejoice Smith’s landing catch towards the Oakland Raiders in the course of the first half of an NFL soccer sport in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photograph/Mike McCarn, File)
The comment didn’t sit properly with Smith.
“53 man locker room – 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking information to 89,” he wrote in an preliminary put up on X.
“I’ve watched & listened from a far as U @CameronNewton discuss @Panthers! None of us are good. Sure We have been 2-14 earlier than you blessed us w ur presence. The best way you may have talked about @panthers these days I’m very dissatisfied. I want u nothing however the easiest. I’m carried out!!!”
One fan identified Smith had been crucial of the Panthers up to now.
“I’ve by no means backed down from my phrases,” he stated in response. “Nonetheless calling the lads within the locker room losers isn’t slander it’s disrespectful! I disliked plenty of issues that occurred w/ my time there. However calling males losers naw.”
Squabbling over the previous is much from what the Panthers group wants to listen to from its most well-known alumni.
Carolina has not had a successful season since 2017. It was additionally the final time they made the playoffs. Since then, the crew has had 5 head coaches with three interim head coaches.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, #1, on the sidelines within the second quarter towards the New Orleans Saints on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Jan. 2, 2022. (Chuck Cook dinner-USA TODAY Sports activities)
The Panthers have been 5-12 in 2024, an enchancment from their 2-15 season in 2023.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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