Former NFL star Cam Newton says he wouldn’t trade MVP award for Super Bowl win

Former NFL star quarterback Cam Newton recently made headlines when he revealed that he would not trade his 2015 NFL MVP award for a Super Bowl win. During an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” Newton was asked by host Stephen A. Smith if he would make the swap, to which Newton promptly responded with a resounding “No.”
Smith appeared surprised by Newton’s response and pushed him to explain his reasoning. Newton then posed a thought-provoking question, asking whether impact or championships were more important in the grand scheme of things. He pointed out that not every athlete has the luxury of winning championships, citing examples like Allen Iverson in basketball and lesser-known quarterbacks like Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer who have won Super Bowls.
Newton emphasized the importance of individual success and accountability in sports, noting that winning the MVP award validated the hard work and effort he had put in. He stressed that football is a team sport, where each player has a specific role to play, and if everyone does their job to the best of their ability, success will follow.
If the Carolina Panthers had emerged victorious in Super Bowl L against the Denver Broncos, Newton would have joined an exclusive group of quarterbacks who have won both the MVP award and the Super Bowl in the same season. Despite this potential achievement, Newton reiterated that he would still choose the MVP award over a Super Bowl win.
The upcoming Super Bowl LIX will feature quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, neither of whom are in contention for the MVP award this season. In 2022, Mahomes managed to secure both the MVP title and a Super Bowl victory, while Hurts finished as the MVP runner-up but fell short in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs.
The highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX matchup between the Chiefs and the Eagles is set to take place on Feb. 9, with FOX providing coverage starting at 1 p.m. ET. For the first time ever, the game can also be streamed live on Tubi, offering fans a new way to enjoy the biggest event in football.
As Cam Newton stands by his controversial stance on prioritizing individual success over team championships, his perspective sheds light on the different values and motivations that drive athletes in their pursuit of greatness.