The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, celebrated on August 2 in Canton, Ohio, welcomed seven new legends. However, while Cam Newton, a dual-threat quarterback who redefined the position, was notably absent from the list of honors.
As Newton becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame, fans wonder if he has what it takes to earn a gold jacket.
Cam Newton’s Football Journey began At The University of Florida
The dynamic and record-breaking QB, Newton, became a member of the Florida Gators football team in 2007.
After some controversial incidents at the university, he transferred to Blinn College in Texas, where he found his track and led Blinn to the 2009 NJCAA National Football Championship.
His success caught the attention of major programs, leading him to choose Auburn University after considering offers from Oklahoma and Mississippi State.
In 2010, he led the Tigers to a perfect 14-0 season, winning the BCS National Championship, earning the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s best college player, and being named SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
After years of hard work and challenges, the Carolina Panthers selected Newton first overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. From 2011 to 2019, he became the team’s heart and soul.
His peak came in 2015, when he was named NFL MVP after a star season that showed his dual-threat ability as a passer and runner.
That same year, he led the Panthers to an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl 50 appearance, though they fell short of the title.
Over his career, Newton earned three Pro Bowl selections and set records as a dual-threat quarterback.
Additionally, he holds the NFL record for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback and ranks among the all-time leaders in rushing yards by a QB.
After his MVP season, injuries to his shoulder and foot caused trouble in Newton’s performance, which led to the end of his time with the Panthers by 2019.
In 2020, he signed with the New England Patriots, where he showed flashes of his old self, particularly as a runner, but his passing game struggled, and the Patriots finished with a 7-9 record.
Later, in 2021, Cam returned to Carolina for a brief encore, but his performance was a shadow of his 2011–2019 prime.
His rushing skills were still strong, but his passing and decision-making suffered, leading him to step back from being an NFL quarterback.
When Will Newton Become Eligible To Be Inducted?
As per Pro Football Hall of Fame rules, players must have retired for at least five full seasons before being eligible for induction, and Newton last played in the NFL in 2021, making him eligible for the Class of 2027.
Nonetheless, despite his impressive achievements, such as an MVP and multiple Pro Bowl selections, his lack of a Super Bowl ring might give voters pause.
Panthers fans and football purists must wait until 2027 to see if Newton gets his gold jacket.
