Cameron Jerrell Newton is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the Carolina Panthers. He is the NFL leader in career quarterback rushing touchdowns and third in career quarterback rushing yards. Following a stint with the Florida Gators, Newton played college football for the Auburn Tigers, winning the Heisman Trophy and the 2011 BCS National Championship Game as a junior. He was selected first overall by the Panthers in the 2011 NFL draft, where he holds franchise records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns.
Newton made an impact in his first season when he set the rookie records for passing and rushing yards by a quarterback, earning him Offensive Rookie of the Year. The league's first rookie quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season and the first to throw for 400 yards in his NFL debut, he also set the single-season record for quarterback rushing touchdowns. Between 2013 and 2017, Newton led the Panthers to four playoff appearances and three division titles. His most successful season came in 2015 when he was named the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) and helped Carolina obtain a franchise-best 15–1 record en route to an appearance in Super Bowl 50. He is the first Black quarterback to outright win NFL MVP.
Following his MVP campaign, Newton struggled with injuries and reached the playoffs only once over the next four years. Released ahead of his 10th season, he played for the New England Patriots in 2020. Newton was released by the Patriots the following year and returned to the Panthers for his final season.
