Cam Newton Aims To Inspire As First Black QB In Week 1 For Patriots

Veteran quarterback Cam Newton will lead the New England Patriots in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Bill Belichick named him QB1 and Newton is ready to give his best.

The former Carolina Panthers quarterback competed with second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham and veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer for the starting position. Belichick trusts him enough to give him a chance to replace Tom Brady.

Newton is the second black quarterback to start a regular-season game for the Patriots. Jacoby Brissett was the first. He had two starts in 2016 and played as a replacement for TB12 and Jimmy Garoppolo. Newton paid attention to this milestone and he is willing to make a change.

“It’s a big deal,” he said. “It’s really a big deal. I understand who I am, I understand being an African-American in this time, we have to be stronger and sticking with each other more than ever now, yet this is a great feat to achieve. But at the end of the day, we have to make sure we’re using our platform for positive reasons, and that’s what I want to do.

“I want to prove to people that there’s more to a person than what you see on the outer level. I’m a person who got second and third and fourth chances in my life, and yet through it all, it should always be about what that person’s about, not what that person looks like. And as long as I have this opportunity to impact and empower the community — whether it’s the Black community, whether it’s the white community, it doesn’t matter what community it may be — I just want to do my part as a good samaritan on Earth.”

Cam Newton is excited for the Week 1 challenge

The 2015 NFL MVP grew up in Atlanta and was a great fan of former Atlanta Falcons superstar Michael Vick and other Black quarterbacks of the past. Newton has a big responsibility and he will use his platform to inspire young people. He will also set up a good example for his children.

Vick was Newton’s hero and he was more than proud to say it. He was also a great fan of Vince Young and Randall Cunningham. Donovan McNabb helped him play better. Newton respects Daunte Culpepper too.

Newton has so much to do. He has to protect the African-American community. He has to be there for his kids. His children came in town, and Newton is ready to meet their expectations. There’s nothing like high expectations at this point. Newton wants his kids to be proud of him and all the things he does. He tries to be a good man and respect others.