CHARLOTTE, N. Carolina — With just one minute left in the third quarter, Carolina Panthers QB and Heisman-winning former Auburn player Cam Newton made one Texas sized flip to bring the score to 17-10 and later lead his team to a 24 to 17 victory.
At the Houston 2 yard line, the Auburn star and two time Pro-Bowl player took an impressive head over heel flip, that minus a side clip to his landing by two pass rushers, would have impressed any coach on the sideline, football, Olympic, or otherwise.
Newton described his emotions in that snap decision more like an avid roller-coaster enthusiast than a NFL first round draft pick, telling reporters after the game, “my heart was in my socks.”
His teammates had their socks knocked off as well, when their fierce quarterback made the touchdown. Panthers tight end Greg Olsen saw the tail end of the flying feat on the Jumbotron, describing the acrobatic move as “unbelievable.”
Perhaps more unbelievable than Newton’s gutsy move was his dogged determination to stick with his players in the face of failure and flubs. Wide receivers Ted Ginn and Philly Brown were each called on by the quarterback to complete a 25 yard TD and 36 yard TD, respectively, despite numerous failed passes between the two in the pre-season and opening games.
Olsen said this mindset is part of Newton and the entire team culture, “We’re not going to panic. We’re not going to try and reinvent ourselves every time something goes wrong.” The Panthers made clear they are committed to the players and the plan even when unsatisfactory results inevitably happen.
In the case of Cam Newton’s most recent superman feat… satisfaction guaranteed.
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