Ex-Vikings Star Reacts to Cam Newton Calling Him a Loser

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton went viral for calling his former teammates, a comment many took issue with, including former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. Munnerlyn spent five seasons in Carolina before signing with the Vikings. He was part of the Panthers team that won two games in 2010, leading to the selection of Newton with the No. 1 overall pick. Newton made that point on Travis Hunter’s podcast, saying he went into a “locker room of losers” when he first arrived in Carolina. “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.”

Several former teammates of the Panthers took issue with Newton’s comment.

Munnerlyn took it personally, saying it was a “slap in the face” and that Newton is trying to stay “relevant” with his playing days over. “For him to say that we was losers was a slap in the face,” Munnerlyn told the Athletic. “This was a team who was two years removed from playing in the NFC divisional round against the Arizona Cardinals. We lost a couple pieces. We had Checkdown Jimmy Clausen at quarterback and we had a bad year. … For him to say losers was crazy.

“He wants to be relevant still. He’s in this media world where he does his podcasts and (ESPN’s) ‘First Take’ stuff, which is good. I’m happy for him. I’m proud of him,” he added. “But I think he still says some stuff just to be relevant still. And if you know Cam, you’ve been around him for years, that’s Cam Newton.” Steve Smith voiced his disappointment in Newton’s comments as well. “[Fifty-three] man locker room [minus one equals] 52 losers,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Wow… breaking news to 89!”

“I’ve watched and listened from afar as you, Cam Newton, talk about the Panthers!” he added. “None of us are perfect. Yes, we were 2-14 before you blessed us with your presence. The way you have talked about the Panthers lately I’m very disappointed. I wish you nothing but the very best. I’m done!!!” One of the most tenacious receivers in NFL history, questioning Smith’s mettle was bound to lead to some hard feelings. Munnerlyn was part of the core that earned a playoff berth in 2013 before he joined the Vikings. He was a former seventh-round pick who carved out a 10-year career in the NFL.