NFL

Cam Newton Picks MVP Over Super Bowl Ring On First Take

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We may finally have an explanation for why Cam Newton avoided jumping on his own fumble at the end of Super Bowl 50.

Now working as an analyst on ESPN’s First Take, Newton and his co-hosts were discussing Super Bowl championships on Thursday morning. Stephen A Smith posed a question specifically for the former Carolina Panthers quarterback, asking if he would trade in his league MVP award in exchange for a Super Bowl ring.

Cam Newton Makes Shocking Revelation About His Career

Newton replied with an emphatic “No” without hesitation. He provided a convoluted answer as his reasoning, which did not seem to be well-thought-out. But he concluded by saying that if you were an MVP, then you did your job being a leader. He then stated that there are 11 players on a football field, and that they all need to do their jobs in order for the team to be successful.

The comments may not come as much of a surprise. In the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50 and with the game on the line, Newton fumbled at a crucial juncture. The Panthers were down 16-10 with 4 minutes left in the game, and took over possession with a chance to score and take the lead.

On a third and nine play from their own 25-yard line, Newton dropped back to pass and was stripped by Broncos pass rusher and eventual Super Bowl MVP Von Miller. The ball bounced just a few steps away from Carolina’s QB, and it looked as though he had a clear chance of diving on it. But at the last second, Newton held up, even backing away, allowing Denver to not only take over possession, but to do so just four yards from the end zone.

The Broncos scored four plays later and completed the two point conversion, extending their lead to 14 points and ultimately sealing the game and a Super Bowl victory.

Cam Newton played 11 seasons in the NFL, all but one for the Panthers. He won the MVP award in 2015, the same season as his lone Super Bowl appearance.