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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A fan wearing a big smile and a black No. 1 Cam Newton jersey was at the entrance of Bank of America Stadium on Thursday less than an hour after news of the quarterback returning to the Carolina Panthers became official.
The sound of cars honking their horns reverberated off the nearby Morehead Street overpass next to him.
While rain clouds hung over the city, word that “Superman’’ had returned to the team he took to Super Bowl 50 in 2015 was like a ray of sunshine, judging by the reaction of fans.
Newton was, and still is, the most iconic player in the history of a franchise born in 1995. The top pick of the 2011 draft electrified the Carolinas with his physical skills and eccentric style for seven years before injuries reduced him to a mere human his final two seasons.
At 32, he won’t be Superman again.
But he is a humbled player wanting to prove himself again.
And he was the best option for a 4-5 Carolina team that still has aspirations of making the playoffs in the second season under coach Matt Rhule, one of the decision-makers in releasing Newton in the spring of 2020.
The contract — up to $10 million the rest of year; $4.5 million fully guaranteed plus a $1.5 million roster bonus — shows this is a serious move and not just a way to win back fans who were upset when Newton was released.
“My job is to try to win right now,” Rhule said Wednesday, refusing to speculate on interest in Newton at that time. “Our fans aren’t paying money to watch us win in two years. At the same time, you’re trying to build a Super Bowl-caliber team. So it’s a balancing act of doing what’s right long term and trying to win at the same time. Many times those are the same thing.
“There are four teams in the NFC with more than six wins. Everyone…
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Source : espn
