Cam Newton making Carolina return as Panthers' pregame drummer

admin_news admin_news
Jan 10, 2026 - 20:00
0 0
Cam Newton making Carolina return as Panthers' pregame drummer

The Carolina Panthers haven't hosted a home playoff game since Cam Newton powered them to the Super Bowl in his MVP-winning 2015 season. So, with Carolina breaking the drought Saturday afternoon against the Los Angeles Rams, Newton has a special role.

Newton is serving as the Panthers' "Keep Pounding" drummer in his first appearance at Bank of America Stadium since retiring following the 2021-22 season. Like the dozens of drummers before him, Newton will bang a giant "Keep Pounding" drum four times in a tradition honoring Sam Mills, the Hall of Fame linebacker who delivered an iconic pregame speech while battling intestinal cancer in 2004. The Panthers made an unlikely Super Bowl run after Mills' speech, and his conveyance of perseverance and resilience is now woven into Carolina's franchise DNA.

The return is somewhat of a surprise, as things appeared frosty between Newton and the Panthers despite the immense but relatively brief success they had together. Carolina replaced Newton, a three-time Pro Bowler and former No. 1 overall pick, with Teddy Bridgewater before Matt Rhule's first season in 2020. It was a bitter exit that got even more complicated when Newton returned for five games in 2021, losing all of them.

After the Panthers didn't invite Newton to a 2024 Germany trip that other franchise greats attended, Newton admitted on his 4th&1 podcast his feelings were hurt because he "gave this city everything." Panthers fans recognize and appreciate all Newton gave -- except perhaps that infamous non-dive for the loose ball in Super Bowl 50 -- so it's nice to see him and the franchise mend fences.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Cam Newton returning to Carolina as Panthers' 'Keep Pounding' drummer

Read More