Steve Smith Sr. was Cam Newton’s teammate from 2011-13. Whereas Julian Edelman spent just six games alongside the stylish QB in 2020.
Even though Julian’s experience pales in comparison to Smith Sr.’s, both men know Newton is one-of-a-kind. Edelman hosted Smith Sr.
on this week’s Games With Names podcast. He reflected on his brief time playing with Newton, saying the 2015 MVP “ worked his [tail] off ” and had a unique personality. Smith Sr.
agreed Newton was a tremendous worker. However, he and Newton didn’t get along for most of their tenure together. And their poor relationship actually led to the end of Smith Sr.
’s time in Carolina. Cam Newton and Steve Smith Sr. were at “different places” in their career Newton joined the Panthers as the No.
1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He was fresh off a Heisman Trophy and college football championship when he entered Carolina’s locker room. Smith Sr.
, a grizzled veteran preparing for his 11th season, was coming his worst full season since his 2001 rookie campaign. He was eager to show that the Panthers’ abysmal situation caused his 2010 downswing. But more than that, he wanted to get back to the playoffs.
His obsession with winning consumed him. Smith Sr.’s desire to win impacted his relationship with Newton .
He couldn’t afford to wait for his rookie signal-caller to figure things out . He needed him to play at a high level immediately, and to lead Carolina to victories. Otherwise, he was just wasting away .