Cam Newton Says He Should've Jumped on Fumble in Panthers' Super Bowl 50: 'No Excuse'

The Carolina Panthers were down six to the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50 when Cam Newton failed to recover a fumble that could have saved his team's championship hopes.

The former Panthers quarterback reflected on that moment eight years later during Thursday's episode of the podcast 4th and 1.

"It ain't no excuse for me not jumping on the fumble," Newton said. "I should've jumped on the fumble, straight up."

"The competitor in me, if that happens again, duh. This is the Super Bowl... that wasn't Super Bowl energy, and I think that is what hurts the most, is you don't get an opportunity to go back. It's not promised for you to go back."

"That was your time to seize the moment," Newton continued. "Carpe diem, the words that I live by. And I didn't. Looking back at it, you will never have an opportunity again."

The defining moment of the Super Bowl in 2016 was caused by Broncos linebacker Von Miller, who hit the ball out of Newton's hands, and Broncos safety T.J. Ward, who fell on the ball at the Panthers' four-yard line as Newton appeared to jump away.

That recovery led to a touchdown that sealed the Broncos' 24-10 Super Bowl victory.

The Panthers have yet to win another playoff game since then, while Newton was limited throughout the rest of his career by shoulder and foot injuries.

The former Panthers quarterback could now be seeking a shot at redemption. Newton, who last played in January 2022, has indicated that he hopes to return to the NFL in the future.