Former Carolina Panthers star Steve Smith Sr. defended his ex-teammates on Tuesday after Cam Newton referred to them as “losers” prior to his arrival. Smith was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft, while Newton was selected as the No. 1 overall pick a decade later, helping to elevate the team after a challenging 2-14 season in 2010.
Newton’s comments came during an interview on the “Overtime” podcast, where he discussed the pressures faced by Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. He stated, “When I was the first pick, I went into a locker room of losers. Just honest. Guys didn’t know how to win; guys didn’t know how to prepare.” This remark sparked a strong reaction from Smith, who expressed his disappointment on social media.
In his response, Smith wrote, “53-man locker room – 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking news to 89.” He acknowledged the team’s struggles before Newton’s arrival but emphasized that labeling his former teammates as losers was disrespectful. Smith clarified, “I disliked a lot of things that happened during my time there. But calling men losers? Nah.”
The Panthers have faced challenges in recent years, failing to secure a winning season since 2017 and experiencing multiple coaching changes. In 2024, the team finished with a 5-12 record, showing some improvement from their 2-15 season in 2023.