Fans have been begging for it all season long, and now with the playoffs they’re getting their wish: The Carolina Panthers are bringing back legendary quarterback Cam Newton on Saturday for the team’s playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.
No, he’s not suiting up — that would be silly. Instead the former NFL MVP is going to bang the team’s “KEEP POUNDING” drum, a pregame tradition in Carolina.
It’s a move fans thought wasn’t possible. Newton had largely been ostracized from the organization when owner David Tepper took over control of the team, first ushering in a staff that let Newton go — then seemingly freezing him out from opportunities to represent the team like former retired Panthers have. That changes now.
Newton has been vocal in his support of Bryce Young and the Panthers this season, seemingly drawing parallels from his time in Carolina with the third year quarterback. This includes saying the team needed to get more weapons, balance out the offense, and praised their use of play action as a way to open up the passing game for Young.
There is no doubt that the roof is going to blow off Bank of America Stadium (if it had a roof) when Newton returns to the field. There is so much love for the former franchise great in the Carolinas, and fans hope this could be an indication that No. 1 will return to the fold in more of an official capacity.
