Cam Newton says his dreadlocks are a motive he’s not on an NFL roster

Cam Newton will not be his 2015 MVP self anymore, however the three-time Pro Bowler says there’s one more reason why he is nonetheless a free agent.

Over the years, Newton has grown out his hair for dreadlocks, and he means that’s a motive why he remained unsigned all through the 2022 season and continues to be on the lookout for a job.

“It’s been hindered. And I’m not changin’,” he mentioned on Josina Anderson’s “Undefined” podcast. 

“People have hinted in direction of to say like, ‘Cam, we would like you to return to the 2015 clean-cut Cam. But that was a unique me. Right now, the place I’m at, it’s about embracing who I’m.”

Former NFL and Auburn quarterback Cam Newton walks into the load room throughout Auburn Pro Day March 21, 2023, in Auburn, Ala.  (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

The New England Patriots signed him throughout his dreadlocks part, and he began 15 video games for them in 2020. He returned to the Carolina Panthers in 2021 and performed in eight video games.

But earlier than rejoining the workforce that chosen him with the primary decide in 2011, he mentioned groups have been insinuating he ought to have gotten a haircut.

Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the first quarter of a recreation at Bank of America Stadium Sept. 12, 2019, in Charlotte, N.C. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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“There was hints towards it,” he mentioned, by way of Bleacher Report. “And I gained lots of nice counsel from lots of people. And the factor that’s all the time talked about is, ‘Yo, Cam, you scarin’ folks the best way you look.’ 

“And I’d say, ‘Yo, like I’m not gonna identify names, however there’s different quarterbacks that is within the league that do not appear like me, however they obtained lengthy hair. They do not scare them, do they?’ So, we will go tit for tat, tat for tit with it. But I’d simply flip and nod to that and say, ‘That’s not the rationale why I’m not within the NFL.'”

Newton reportedly turned down a proposal from not less than one workforce final season.

He has mentioned beforehand he doesn’t plan on reducing his hair till one in all his daughters will get married.

Former NFL and Auburn quarterback Cam Newton throws a move throughout Auburn Pro Day March 21, 2023, in Auburn, Ala.  (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Since serving to the 15-1 Panthers to a Super Bowl throughout his MVP season, Newton has gone 30-36 as a starter with an 81.4 quarterback score. His final Pro Bowl nod was in 2015.