Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton reiterated his recent comments about the team’s previous struggles, describing the locker room as having an atmosphere of “losers” before he was drafted first overall in 2011. He characterized his statements as “aggressive” yet “true.”

During an episode of the “4th and 1 with Cam Newton” podcast, Newton clarified that he was addressing the overall performance of the team rather than singling out individual players.

“When did we become so sensitive?” Newton questioned. “When did we start avoiding speaking the truth? A locker room full of losers? It’s a bold statement, but it’s the reality.”

Several former Panthers players, including star wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., expressed their discontent with Newton’s remarks, which he made during a podcast appearance with Colorado’s wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter prior to the Super Bowl. In that conversation, he discussed the potential pressure Hunter may face as a No. 1 draft pick.

Newton mentioned to Hunter that he believed he entered “a locker room of losers.” He elaborated, stating, “People didn’t know how to win; they didn’t know how to prepare. It was as if they didn’t recognize we finished 2-14. That kind of mentality was prevalent.”

Smith, who played on the 2010 team and is among the 15 finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame, was particularly vocal about his disagreement, posting on X about Newton’s statements. He remarked, “53-man locker room — if one is a loser, then that’s 52. Wow… breaking news to 89,” along with an angry emoji.

Newton responded, acknowledging that he respects Smith’s perspective but stood firm on his viewpoint. “I’m not addressing those individuals specifically,” he explained on his podcast. “I’m referring to the culture I encountered in the locker room before my arrival — it represented a losers’ mindset.”

He added that the Panthers still exhibited this mentality during his initial two seasons, which saw the team finish with records of 6-10 and 7-9. Newton admitted he personally needed to adapt to the winning culture of the NFL.

By 2013, however, the Panthers began to turn things around, achieving a 12-4 record before falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. The 2015 season saw the team excel with a remarkable 15-1 record, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance, and Newton earning the league MVP award.

“When I say that, ‘Oh, I made everything better,’ that’s not what I mean,” he clarified. “What I’m saying is if you’re drafted No. 1, it typically means you’re joining a struggling team. That’s the reality I wanted to convey to Travis Hunter. People are surprised, thinking, ‘Oh, Cam said this.’ But it’s simply the truth.”