Cam Newton steals the show as Carolina Panthers thump Arizona Cardinals
In case you didn't catch it the first time, Cam Newton yelled it once more.
"I'm back! I'm back!"
After powering in for a rushing touchdown, much to the delight of the Panthers and the team's fans, Newton officially announced his arrival back in Carolina on Sunday, scoring on his first touch by scampering to his right and lowering his 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame for a 2-yard touchdown on Carolina's first possession of the game.
In true Newton fashion, he was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following the TD run.
It was Carolina's first touchdown in a 34-10 rout on the road against the shorthanded Arizona Cardinals — missing the likes of superstars Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins — but it wasn't Newton's only contribution.
Amazingly, with his first pass of the game, Newton threw a touchdown on Carolina's next possession. He linked up with Robby Anderson for the 2-yard score, increasing Carolina's lead to 14-0.
Cam Newton scores two touchdowns in return to Panthers
In doing so, Newton became the first quarterback in the past 30 years to run for a TD on his first carry of the season and throw a TD on his first pass of the season, per CBS Sports.
He extended his own NFL record for games with both a rushing touchdown and a passing TD to 43 contests, increasing his lead on Steve Young, who sits at No. 2, with 31 games.
Talk about an immediate impact.
Until the Panthers came calling earlier this week, the 32-year-old Newton had been a free agent since the New England Patriots released him on Aug. 31.
With Sam Darnold injured, the Panthers brought back Newton on Thursday to join P.J. Walker and Matt Barkley in the quarterback room.
Walker got the start, going 22-for-29 for 167 yards, zero TDs and one interception, but Newton got the headlines. The Panthers' all-time leader in wins, passing yards, completions and passing touchdowns added to his legend in his second stint with the Panthers.
Newton wrapped up 3-for-4 for 8 yards and a touchdown to go with three carries for 14 yards and a score. In addition, the veteran was spotted resuming the leadership role he filled for nine years as a Panther.
On Friday, Newton spoke about the buzz surrounding his rejoining Carolina.
"Everybody wants to make it about Cam’s back, and this, that and the third," Newton said. "You know why I’m here. This ain’t for no ploy. This ain’t for no ticket sales. This ain’t for no Cinderella story. This is to win football games."
As Skip Bayless said on Monday's episode of "Undisputed," Newton has breathed new life into the Panthers.
Chris Broussard of "First Things First" said Newton came out and made a statement with his handful of opportunities.
"I loved it," Broussard said Monday. "I think anybody with a heart had to love what you saw. … He's sitting there saying, ‘There’s no way that 32 quarterbacks in the NFL are better than me,' and he was right. … You saw all of the anger and frustration he'd been feeling, probably, for the last two months in that first run."
Chris Broussard talks Panthers' win over Cardinals: 'Cam Newton is back!' I FIRST THINGS FIRST
After playing a limited role Sunday, Newton seems poised to jump into a starting and starring role next week against the Washington Football Team.
Here is how social media initially reacted to Newton's unforgettable return to playing for the Panthers:
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
