Cam Newton said it was elusive words to portray his emotions about his new function with the New England Patriots.
Newton was named the team’s beginning quarterback, sources affirmed to ESPN, just as one of their eight captains Thursday, denoting a speedy ascent after he formally signed with the team July 8.
“A person might kind of sense it was almost expected, but not from me, though,” Newton said Friday. “Ever since I first spoke to any personnel with the team, I wanted to make sure they understood my drive and understand I’m not taking this opportunity for granted — whether it’s showing up as early as I do show up, or leave as late as I leave, I know people know that my heart is in the right place.
“As far as when it comes to this team, there is nothing I wouldn’t do besides put their best interest at heart. To be named a captain was just something that was just rewarding to hear, but at the same time, now the real work kind of starts for me.”
Newton, 31, was asked how he has advanced as a leader throughout the long term, incorporating his time with the Carolina Panthers (2011 to 2019).
“Just to be honest with you, I don’t think a person of my caliber always gets his fair share of leadership [acknowledgment]. I think coming to a team that has so much respect around the league and the sports world, to be a captain for them, I think it kind of gives me validation to a degree. But nothing that I’ve done this year has been any different that I’ve done from years past. I think that’s why this is not the first time I’ve been a captain,” he said.
“Whether it’s here, or whether it’s anywhere else, I think I’ve always grown and matured over the years and took a little bit what makes this person great and applied it to myself, and put my own kind of sizzle to it to make it mine. But I haven’t changed.”
With respect to being named the starter, which coach Bill Belichick apparently educated players regarding Thursday, Newton transferred that he had a comparative response to being casted a ballot a skipper.
“That’s another emotion that’s hard to kind of explain in words,” he said. “But I’ve had a plan since I’ve been here just to become the best player I can possibly be, and be coachable. And knowing I’d be coached by the game’s finest — [offensive coordinator] Josh McDaniels, [quarterbacks] Coach Jedd [Fisch] as well as obviously Coach Belichick, and those guys haven’t let me down yet. I just try to be of service in any way, shape form I can possibly be. Anything they ask me to do, it’s my job to do it.”
One of the top inquiries concerning Newton when he previously joined the Patriots was wellbeing related, after he had gone through shoulder and foot medical procedures in the course of the last two seasons.
Explicit to his wellbeing, and if he’s prepared for the afflictions of a 16-game season, Newton said it look bad to pronounce one way or the other.
“I think the most exciting thing is that nobody knows, and you’re still not going to know. So you just have to tune in and see,” he said, in reference to the season opener Sept. 13 against the visiting Miami Dolphins. “That’s what excites me most because everybody is kind of asking the same questions. ‘What are they going to do? Are they going to do this? Are they going to do that?’ I’m not going to tell you. You can’t let all the tricks out of the hat.”
Newton flashed a wide grin when gotten some information about what he could do in the Patriots’ offense.
“I think the most energizing thing is that no one knows, you’re as yet not going to know. So you simply need to tune in and see,” he stated, regarding the season opener Sept. 13 against the meeting Miami Dolphins. “That is the thing that energizes me most in light of the fact that everyone is somewhat posing similar inquiries. ‘What are they going to do? It is safe to say that they will do this? Are they going to do that?’ I’m not going to let you know. You can’t let all the stunts out of the cap.”
