The Cam Newton return to Bank of America Stadium had everything you could ask for, except a win over his long-time head coach Ron Rivera. All eyes were on Newton as he ran out of the tunnel minute before 1:00 pm yesterday. Even the Fox broadcast team went to the field early and had cameras pointed at QB1. The fans erupted and the smile on Newton’s face said it all. The energy- infectious. You couldn’t help but be fired up as Cam quickly made his way onto the field and drove down for a quick 6 points. And he and the fans were ecstatic. After that touchdown, Cam could be seen running, doing his trademark Superman gesture, and basking in the crowd’s reaction.
For all intents and purposes, Newton had a great day. He was responsible for 3 touchdowns, threw 0 interceptions, and completed 21 of his 27 pass attempts. He looked like his old self, not the injury-ridden QB we saw at the end of his first go-round in Carolina. But that wasn’t enough to get the win over his former coach and the Washington Football Team. While it was understandably overshadowed by Newton’s return Ron Rivera was also making his first trip back to the stadium he called home for many years. And that battle between coach and his former MVP was won by Riverboat Ron. Newton had two chances to lead the team down the field for a game-winning drive but came up short both times. That storybook ending was so close but lucky for Panthers fans another chapter begins today and a win against Miami next week is more than possible.
But instead of dwelling on the outcome lets re-live some of the joy of the Cam Newton return to BOA Stadium: