CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WNCN) – Panthers quarterback Cam Newton believes that, in the NFL, “there’s a 100 percent chance out of 100 times that you’re going to get hurt.”
That’s certainly truthful. The Carolina signal caller is working his way through a shoulder injury. It’s impacted his throwing arm, perhaps contributing to the four interceptions he threw in last week’s 24-17 loss to Tampa Bay — the team’s fourth in a row.
Newton, as competitive as he is, only wants to be on the field helping the Panthers get out of the rut they’re in. Playoff hopes are becoming more of a stretch with each loss.
“At the end of the day, I just know that I’m healthy enough to play, and I’m not going to let nothing hold me back from being able to help my team,” Newton said. “I definitely don’t want to be a liability. I just want to make sure I put myself and this team in the best situation to win football games.”
It’s been over a month now since Carolina last won a game. Being a former MVP, a healthy Newton gives the Panthers a good chance to win. An injured Newton would be a liability he doesn’t want to become. That’s why he’s trying to control little things to keep himself healthy.
“Father time isn’t nobody’s friend,” he said. “But, at the end of the day, you’ve got to do certain things that give you the best opportunity to be accurate, have strength in your arm, or have endurance during the game. For me, it’s about taking care of the little things that make big, big sense in the long run.”
Newton and the Panthers take on Cleveland Sunday at 1 p.m.
