Former NFL MVP Cam Newton is no stranger to making headlines, even after his NFL career has come to an end (although he says he’s technically not retired).
The 2011 No. 1 overall pick became the face of the franchise as a rookie and led the team to the Super Bowl as league MVP. At one point in time, Newton was the most polarizing player in the NFL much like Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson in today’s landscape.
Whether he is making controversial statements on is podcast about “game managers vs. game changers” or criticizing Brock Purdy or the 49ers coaching staff for decisions they made to lose the Super Bowl, Newton has found a way to keep himself relevant.
And according to Cam Newton himself, this approach is a calculated career strategy.
“Bro, I’m not a football player no more,” he said in an interview with Boardroom. “I’m a YouTuber.”
Newton’s comment comes more than two years after taking what many believe was his last snap in the NFL.
Now, the 2015 NFL MVP said he is shifting his focus to his business ventures and creating his own brand, specifically when it comes to media.
“I left millions of dollars on the table because I didn’t know the power of content,” Newton said in the interview. “This was back in 2016…like you’re on top of the world and relevant in media. Everybody wants to know what you’re doing.”
Dating back to his first stint with the Panthers, he has created videos through his Iconic Saga production company, showcasing everything from food to family to friends, travel and of course, football.
“Being independent, it requires more grit and grind, rather than somebody, you know, already having a set platform [like] ESPN or FOX Sports,” Newton said. “I don’t think if I was on those platforms, I would be able to truly give the consumer ‘me.’”
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton Involved In Massive Brawl At Youth Event
Newton likened his desire to create an independent market for himself to that of superstars such as Tyler Perry, Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Oprah. Boardroom, the very platform through which the interview was done, was started in part by NBA champion Kevin Durant. Other athletes including LeBron James and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have also found success in production.
“I think media is at a very interesting space now because the people who are or have played it are gaining more validation by being able to speak on certain topics,” Newton said. “We’re seeing more and more creators create storylines and content that’s true to them.”
He said his motive for creating content is not a difficult one to understand according to the 2015 NFL MVP himself,
“It’s simple,” he said with a grin. “My mantra is, ‘I want to monetize my life.’”
If the numbers are any indication, Newton is finding success in his second career. He has millions of followers on social media and 1.24 million subscribers on YouTube, leading him to make the claim of being the “largest YouTuber in NFL history.”
On Sunday, Cam Newton found himself in the headlines yet again — and unless this was some brilliant production that was pre-planned in an attempt to garner attention — it certainly didn’t seem planned and calculated like the former NFL QB’s other recent moves.
A video of Cam Newton fighting a group of men at his 7 v 7 Tournament went viral on Sunday afternoon. In it, the former NFL MVP could be seen manhandling three men before another comes in with a right hook. It’s unclear what started the fight but the video appears to show Newton getting provoked and defending himself.
Cam Newton looks unphased getting jumped 😂pic.twitter.com/q4VLIFe7up
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 25, 2024
The chaotic video is only 18 seconds long and lacks much context. How the fight started figures to be revealed in the coming days.
One has to imagine Newton won’t ignore — and will be forced to address, possibly on his “4th & 1” podcast — this video if it becomes widespread enough.