‘I never once wanted to leave Carolina’: Newton says goodbye to fans in new video

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former Carolina Panther Cam Newton is ready to become a New England Patriot, but he is not forgetting his roots in the Queen City.

Newton posted a new video to his YouTube page Monday night, sharing his journey to this point and thanking Panthers fans.

In the video, the quarterback speaks directly to his fans who have followed him for the nine seasons he spent in Charlotte.

At the start of the more than five minute long video, it shows Newton on a treadmill. It’s dated March 17, which is just days before he was released from the Carolina Panthers. He spoke about what happened and looked back at his career with the Panthers.

“I never once, I’ll say this right now, I never once wanted to leave Carolina,” Newton said. “Don’t believe it. Don’t let them make you believe anything else. It was their decision. I stuck with it and I knew that, so I asked for a trade.”

A “Boys to Men” soundtrack played throughout the video, highlighting moments on the team. It shows games at Bank of America Stadium, the fans, his charity work and raising millions of dollars for families each year.

He then shared this message -- “I just appreciate so many of the fans so much man, for showing love and support.”

The video goes on to show Newton rehabbing after his lisfranc surgery. Plus, his workouts to get back in shape.

It ends with the New England Patriots logo and the words, “Let’s get to work!”

Reports say Newton signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots worth up to $7.5 million with incentives, according to the Associated Press.

Newton was the 2015 NFL MVP. He will help the defending AFC East champions move on from the departure of three-time MVP Tom Brady, who left for Tampa Bay this offseason.

In an Instagram post Sunday night, Newton wrote, “I’m so excited as I don’t know what right now. All praise to God. I hope you’re ready. Let’s go Pats.”

Newton was with the Carolina Panthers for nine seasons before they released him earlier this year after battling a shoulder injury and a lisfranc injury.

Newton, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner, has played his entire nine-year NFL career with the Panthers, playing in 125 games. He has thrown for 29,041 yards and 182 touchdowns, while leading Carolina on 17 game-winning drives. He has played in seven playoff games, throwing 10 touchdown passes in the postseason.

Newton led the Panthers to a 15-1 record in 2015, capped off by a trip to Super Bowl 50, which Carolina lost to Denver. Newton was named NFL MVP that season, throwing for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns.

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Newton went unsigned for three months for a variety of reasons, because the coronavirus pandemic made it difficult for teams to put him through a physical.

He will compete with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer for the starting quarterback job in New England.

The Panthers are set to visit the Patriots August 20 in Week 2 of the preseason.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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