Cam Newton is perhaps the most known and highest paid athlete ever to play professional sports in Charlotte (excluding NASCAR drivers, maybe). And while he is having an average season on paper, he’s as responsible as anyone for the Carolina Panthers’ perfect record so far this season. He’s even been mentioned as a possible MVP candidate.

There’s a long way to go in the season, so if I may borrow a cliche from athletes, it’s one game at a time.

But right now, life is golden for Cam.

Hard core Panthers fans know everything there’s to know about Cam. For the casual Panthers fan, here’s a Cam Newton primer.


(1) At 6-5, 245 pounds, he’s a big dude. Like really big.

(2) He lives in the same apartment building Uptown as Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan & Cam Newton live in the same building on Tryon St in Charlotte. Jordan owns the entire penthouse. pic.twitter.com/fLpuwGZp — Todd Krevanchi (@krvanch) February 17, 2013

(3) He’s genuinely interested in giving back…

(4) …especially to kids.

The fact that Cam Newton came to Elijah’s Halloween block party, made him so happy! #prayersforelijah pic.twitter.com/w9NFmTX2ZI — Kaylee Bravo (@kaayleemarrie) September 26, 2015

(5) In fact, after touchdowns, he gives the ball to a kid in the stands. Here’s an image of my friend’s nephew, Donavan, getting a ball from Cam last season.

(6) Cam has his own line of clothes at Belk.

.@itswarreyo All you ——> Cam Newton wearing his Made by Cam Newton collection available exclusively at @belk. pic.twitter.com/gMgm4fdF3e” — Brian Smith (@btsmith55) March 18, 2015

(7) His style is unique (to say the least)!

(8) He loves crazy shoes, too.

Available at Belk? RT @wingoz: These are the shoes Cam Newton is wearing tonight for his Foundation benefit. pic.twitter.com/r0hBD9rP8Q — Joe Ovies (@joeovies) June 13, 2015

(9) His favorite mode of transportation? A pickup truck. This is the new one…

(10) …because last season, he was involved in an accident that totaled his other one. How tough is he? He only missed one game as a result of the wreck.

(11) And was smiling as he laid on the road…

(12) Cam smiles a lot. Some say it’s cockiness. Panther fans know it’s just his way of channeling his emotions.

(13) He’s not like other QBs. He likes to cover his head with a towel on the sidelines.

(14) He infuriates opponents by doing this when he gets a first down:

(15) He celebrates touchdowns by mimicking Clark Kent opening his shirt to reveal the Superman emblem.

(16) But he’s really just a big kid at heart.

(17) Maybe that’s why the NFL establishment doesn’t like him. He’s not the traditional QB. He takes pictures like this on Instagram with his friends..

(18) And gets accused of promoting gangs. He got a little defensive and later posted this photo:

(19) For all the fun and gimmicks, he takes his job and life seriously. He doesn’t drink or smoke and is a pescaterian. Last summer, he completed a sociology degree at Auburn University.

YALL CAM NEWTON IS IN MY CLASS. My life is made pic.twitter.com/f99IzdUZol — Lindsey Murphy (@LindseyMurphy7) February 6, 2014

(20) He’s smart, uber-talented and perhaps the toughest QB in the league. And if he keeps the Panthers winning, will have the last laugh.

Excellent RT @CatScratchReadr: Thank you @nick_pants for the best GIF of the week. pic.twitter.com/EfmjtABDdb — Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) September 21, 2015

(Photo credit: Parker Anderson for image of Cam on the line of scrimmage, Cam smiling, Cam with towel on his head; Grant Baldwin for cover and other images of Cam at CMS School Pride Day; Panthers Game Day Program; Marcuse Nance)