Carolina quarterback Cam Newton is drawing lots of criticism today following a 28-14 loss to Denver in Super Bowl 50 Sunday in San Francisco, Calif. However, Newton did play a key role in getting former Razorback wide receiver Cobi Hamilton to Carolina.

Hamilton signed a futures/reserve contract with the Panthers on Jan. 6. The Panthers worked out and eventually signed Hamilton at the request of Newton. Hamilton was drafted in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamilton played against Newton and Auburn on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Auburn. The Tigers won the game 65-43 on their way to an undefeated season and national championship.

Sources indicate Newton urged the Panthers to sign Hamilton, who got a one-year contract worth $650,000. Newton feels that Hamilton can help Carolina at a position that was inconsistent much of the season.

At Arkansas, Hamilton caught 175 passes for 2,854 yards and 18 touchdowns. In 2012, Hamilton caught 90 passes for 1,335 yards and five touchdowns. Also in that season Hamilton caught 10 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns against Rutgers.