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Cam Newton, NFL
June 26, 2024 By  NFL

NFL: Cam Newton Gets 100% Real on the Hardest Postions in American Football

Some time ago, former Los Angeles Clippers star Austin Rivers said it won’t be hard for basketball players to play American football while NFL players will have a hard time playing in the NBA. Just recently, though, ex-quarterback Cam Newton went further by going into detail what the hardest positions are in the sport he became famous for.

The comments made by Rivers on the Pat McAfee Show, suggesting that 30 NBA players could compete in the NFL, sparked a social media firestorm. His’ stance immediately drew pushback from McAfee himself, as well as several former NFL players, including Chris Long, Emmanuel Acho, and JJ Watt.

NBA, Austin Rivers
Mar 22, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Austin Rivers (25) participates in shoot around before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

The controversy escalated further when former Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones harshly criticized Rivers, leading to a heated debate between the two. Rather than shying away from the attention, Rivers has embraced the spotlight, returning to The Pat McAfee Show to further defend his position.

While Rivers never outright claimed he could play football, he highlighted his impressive physical attributes, including his size, speed, and vertical leap. By standing firm in his controversial stance and engaging with his critics, he has has shown a willingness to stoke the NBA-NFL debate during its peak more than a month ago.

Former NFL Quarterback Cam Newton Explains the Hardest Positions in American Football

Carolina Panthers, Cam Newton, NFL
February 3, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) addresses the media during a press conference prior to Super Bowl 50 at San Jose Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Although Rivers’ take has died down, there are some who have reacted to the former NBA star’s opinion in various ways. Among them is ex-NFL QB Cam Newton in a video shared by 4thand1show on X.

According to Newton, playing quarterback isn’t as hard as handling center or offensive tackle responsibilities. He also added that everyone should just respect each other’s craft, including those who prefer basketball or football.

Carolina Panthers, Cam Newton, NFL
Aug 17, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) takes the field against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Newton’s take is certainly an invitation for other players to jump in on the conversation and drop their thoughts on the matter. If anything, the opinion of a talented player like him will surely hold some ground in this particular conversation.

Carolina Panthers, Cam Newton, NFL
Oct 28, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates with fans after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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About Angelo Guinhawa

Angelo Guinhawa is a veteran sports writer and editor who has been working in the industry for over 10 years now. He has worked for FOX Sports PH and several other reputable sports publications. His specialty is the NBA and the NFL, though he also covers the MLB, NHL and European top-flight football.

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