Cam Newton’s anticipated return to Bank of America Stadium for a pre-game ceremony may energize the Panthers in their crucial playoff face-off against the Rams.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β Carolina Panthers legend Cam Newton could make a return to Bank of America Stadium for the team’s biggest game in years.
The Panthers posted a short hype video of the coveted Keep Pounding drum, accompanied by a voice-over of Newton and a text caption in a similar format to the one used by Newton on his social media posts.
Newton played with the Panthers from 2011 to 2019 and made a final stint in 2021. He set virtually every franchise passing record during his tenure and even a few rushing records.
Newton made seven playoff starts, posting a 3-4 record. He led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50 after an electrifying 15-1 campaign in 2015.
In 2017, Newton made his final playoff start in a loss to New Orleans. It was also Carolina’s final playoff game until this Saturday.
The Panthers (8-9) snuck into the playoffs by winning the NFC South. Quarterback Bryce Young leads the new-era Panthers into the postseason against the Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Newton’s rumored appearance for the pre-game ceremony could provide the team with a necessary jolt to reach the next round.
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“Keep Pounding” has been the team’s motto since former player and coach Sam Mills gave an impassioned locker room speech before a 2003 playoff match, as he dealt with cancer. The team added the pre-game drum ceremony in 2012.
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