One Love for QB Number 1

Dear Cam,

where do I begin? We watched you grow from an immature pouter, when things didn't go your way, to an awesome leader! You went from a No. 1 draft pick to the MOST dynamic player in the NFL-- you were, and are, a dual-threat we've never seen the likes of . . . the blend of size, power, strength and speed was like you were from another planet and truly a sight to behold!

You were the Lebron of the NFL. Too fast for defensive linemen, too big for corners and safeties and too strong for linebackers. Nobody on all three levels, of the defense, wanted to tackle Cam Newton! Many made business decisions. You were a game-breaking talent running the ball with a cannon for an arm. You maybe weren’t always the most accurate passer, but you were just about always the most dynamic player every time you took the field. And you did it all with that trademark Kool-Aid smile on your face-- one that seems to say I know something you don't.

We have always LOVED you here in Carolina. As a diehard Panthers' fan, I've watched every single one of your games. The magical Super Bowl run of 2015 we will NEVER forget! Your MVP was well-deserved, but more than that, you took Charlotte and the Carolinas on a ride we have never seen before-- not in the way you did it at least. True to form, of your whole career, like Frank Sinatra you did your way. After all, the dab was the coolest celebration and one of the coolest things in the history of Carolina sports. Not only was it hip, and a rallying cry of the team, but it also was unifying-- there were literally Mamaws dabbing next to 5-year-old kids. It didn't matter what race, age or background . . . if you were in the Carolinas, or a Panthers' fan, you were dabbing.

We cheered you and we booed you, but just like with any relationship, you have to weather the storms together and not just throw in the towel! We did that-- you and us. We have always loved you even when we were disappointed by the results, we still believed in you and supported you!

‪Over the years, we watched you tirelessly serve the community, pour into the community, give to the less fortunate, feed families at Thanksgiving, become Cam Claus at Christmas and do amazing work through your foundation. What other multi-millionaires would hand out blankets, and meals, to the homeless with NO cameras around? Much less the face of the franchise! No press releases, no publicity, just from the goodness of your heart— that’s special! There are no words to thank you enough— for the ‬blood, sweet, tears . . . For the time, energy, love and effort . . . For the growth, maturity and evolution of being a better version of yourself! 

You went from the young man, who acted like a boy, walking out of the Super Bowl press conference, out of hurt/frustration, to the MAN‬ who, stood in the front of the media in the elation and happiness of a great game and big victory or the hurt and disappointment of a bad game and terrible loss and, took the blame! You owned, and wore, the responsibility of a leader and were accountable on a whole ‘nother level! ‬

‪You are SPECIAL! Like you always said, “The Lord gave me a platform, so I want to use it to better other people’s lives, put a smile on their face, inspire them and bring us together!” You’ve done just that! From handing out bracelets and footballs to kids after touchdowns to sitting‬ in the suite with the Levine’s Children Hospital kids, hanging out, taking pictures and signing autographs, despite having your foot in a boot . . . You did it all! You inspired people, brought people in the Carolinas together, gave kids a hero worthy of looking up to ‬

‪Luke 12:48 says, “To whom much is given, much is required.” ‬

‪You have been blessed with much and you have answered the call in living up to that responsibility and living in such a grateful way in essence saying, “Thank You for blessing me with this talent. Let me use it for ‬Your Glory! That perspective and purpose were renewed when you flipped your truck and you were once again reminded even Superman can die and to make the most of your platform and each and every moment you’re blessed with! From the dances to starting the team pictures, which, now, have become a staple in the NFL, from the nicknames for your teammates to the unique wardrobe choices and trademark Cam hats, for remaining LOYAL to us (the fans) even though we haven’t always been faithful ‬

‪We simply say, “THANK YOU Mr. Newton!” ‬

‪Thank you for making Carolina Panthers football electrifying, for smiling, dancing, keeping things loose and fun-- whether on the practice field, the locker room or in the middle of a game, telling Clay Matthews he just thinks he knows what's coming to flipping into the end zone versus the Texans a perfecting ending to a spectacular play! You infused FUN into practices, games and at your events—whether it was the Thanksgiving dinner, your 7-on-7 events in Charlotte and Georgia or Kick It Cam . . . You always kept it FUN and made sure everybody else was having fun as well.  ‬

‪We always loved that about you! In an age where pro athletes are criticized for chasing the biggest paycheck . . . You always stayed loyal to us! You always played the game with the enthusiasm of a kid in the candy store! It was Favre-like. You went from a bachelor to a dad, from watching little-to-no film to‬ being the first one in the building and last one to go home . . . You went from aloof to happily-mentoring Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke and the rest of the QB room. You grew up with us over the past decade and we thank you for it! 

The two biggest ways we can measure how good of a steward we have been are— how did I make the people, I impacted, feel? And did I leave the ‬organization in a better place than when I found it? You made us North Carolinians feel great, gave us awesome memories, thrilling finishes, clutch passes, breath-taking runs and yes, you did Cam. ‬

‪Yes, you did leave everything in a much better place than when you got here ‬8 years ago. When your shoulder was screwed up, when your foot was too, you kept answering the call, suiting up and going into battle (not war-- I wish ALL of sports would retire that word) with your band of brothers . . . We appreciate that!! ‬

‪So, like with any break-up . . . This is HARD! It’s HEART-BREAKING!! We don’t want to lose ‬you! We hope, pray and believe you will emerge as a top player in the NFL again— like the Phoenix rising from the ashes and we can’t wait to buy our No. 1 jerseys, turn on the TV and root for you unless you’re playing the Panthers LOL 😂 J/K Kinda. ‬

‪Just wanted to take a little ‬portion of my day to simply say THANK YOU! Maybe, one day, when things are different, we can get back together like Peppers . . . Or maybe that day will never come and we'll have to wait until after you've hung up your cleats. Picture this, you’ll come back with a crazy hat, and dope, misunderstood outfit on and be inducted into the Ring of Honor ‬right alongside Luuuuuuukkkkkkkkeeeeee. But either way, we wish you the best! The Carolinas will forever be indebted to you Cam!! Business is business, and we understood most good things come to end, but sometimes it can be SO ugly. That's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. We wish it could be different, but like my Mom always says, “It’s just one of life’s little disappointments!” ‬

‪This is incredibly disappointing!! I know I speak for Panther Nation when I say we wish you could've retired in black, silver and blue.  ‬

‪So, as tears fall down, our collective cheeks, and we reminisce on our first date (the draft) and all the memories you’ve given us over the past 8 years at ‬Bank of America, know it’s NOT good-bye . . . Just see you later! And know, while we had our ups and downs, we always loved you brother and always will! ‬

‪☝🏼 One Love, ‬

‪Love Charlotte and the Carolinas
John Mark  ‬