Cam Newton returns, gets Panthers-Rams started by pounding the drum
The former Panthers great Cam Newton got things started at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It took several years and the Carolina Panthers making it back to the playoffs, but Cam Newton returned to Bank of America Stadium on Saturday.
Minutes before the kickoff of the Panthers’ wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams, Newton emerged from the tunnel amid a cloud of smoke and roars from the sold-out crowd and hit the Keep Pounding drum four times.
At long last.
CAM NEWTON POUNDS THE DRUM! 🗣️
LARvsCAR on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gmdtWBUITG— NFL (@NFL) January 10, 2026
Several hours earlier, Newton arrived to boisterous chants of “MVP! MVP! MVP!” from fans who turned out for his live pre-game show at a tailgate outside the stadium.
“It’s only right that I come back home and the first words have to be ‘I’m baaaaack!’” said Newton, referring to his iconic moment after a touchdown at Arizona in 2021 after the Panthers re-signed him following an injury to Sam Darnold.
“I’m overwhelmed with passion, joy, what Carolina, man you guys showed up and you guys showed out,” he added. “It’s an honor to be able to have given this city half of what you guys have given me.”
Newton played eight games in 2021, but hadn’t been to Charlotte for a game since. The Panthers’ most iconic player felt disrespected when he wasn’t included among other retired players who accompanied the team to Munich during the 2024 season. Newton also had mentioned not seeing any photos of him during a visit to the stadium with his children.
But after the Panthers reached out to Newton this week, he returned for what seemed like a reunion for the 2015 Super Bowl team. Thomas Davis, Jonathan Stewart, Luke Kuechly and Joe Webb all appeared on Newton’s “Fourth & 1” live show, while Greg Olsen was in the Fox booth.
Newton shared that his son, Chosen, who was born late in the 2015 season, is now 10 years old.
“And 10 years ago, we had a very special season,” Newton told the crowd at the tailgate. “Sharing this moment with my children, sharing this moment with my family, sharing this moment with you guys, it always is a way to just bring me back. And I’m gonna maximize today.”