REPORT: Vikings’ Captain Send 4-word Shock Message To Cam Newton Over…

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton sparked controversy with his recent comments about his former teammates, prompting strong reactions from ex-Panthers players, including former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.

Newton, appearing on Travis Hunter’s podcast, reflected on his arrival in Carolina as the No. 1 overall pick in 2011, describing the team’s culture at the time as a “locker room of losers.”

“Guys didn’t know how to prepare,” Newton said. “They didn’t take themselves serious to realize, like, ‘Yo, we was 2-14.’ There was a lot of 2-14 in the mentality of those guys.”

Many former Panthers took issue with Newton’s remarks, including Munnerlyn, who played in Carolina for five seasons before signing with Minnesota. Munnerlyn called Newton’s comments a “slap in the face” and accused him of trying to stay relevant in the media.

“For him to say that we were losers was a slap in the face,” Munnerlyn told The Athletic. “This was a team that was two years removed from playing in the NFC Divisional Round against the Arizona Cardinals. We lost a couple of pieces. We had ‘Checkdown’ Jimmy Clausen at quarterback and we had a bad year… but for him to say ‘losers’ was crazy.”

Munnerlyn acknowledged Newton’s transition to media but felt some of his remarks were attention-seeking.

“He wants to be relevant still. He does his podcasts and (ESPN’s) First Take stuff, which is good. I’m happy for him. But I think he still says some stuff just to be relevant. And if you know Cam, you’ve been around him for years—that’s Cam Newton.”

 

 

Former Panthers star receiver Steve Smith Sr. also criticized Newton, posting on X (formerly Twitter):

“[Fifty-three] man locker room [minus one equals] 52 losers. Wow… breaking news to 89!”

Smith expressed disappointment in Newton’s recent takes on the Panthers, writing, “The way you have talked about the Panthers lately—I’m very disappointed. I wish you nothing but the very best. I’m done!!!”

Munnerlyn, a seventh-round pick, became a key part of the Panthers’ defense and helped lead the team to a playoff berth in 2013 before his stint in Minnesota. His strong response highlights just how much Newton’s words stung among those who were part of the team’s journey before his arrival.