CHARLOTTE – What was going through quarterback Cam Newton's mind when he left his feet on first-and-goal late in the third quarter and suddenly found himself airborne and upside down?
"I don't even know," Newton said. "I just know my heart was in my socks. When I was flipping I was like, 'Hey, I don't know how this is going to end.'"
It ended spectacularly.
The 6-5, 245-pound Newton landed in the end zone and nearly stayed upright.
"I didn't stick it, but I still think I got a good high rating from the judge," he joked.
His 2-yard touchdown flip over safety Rahim Moore gave Carolina a 17-10 lead, and it gave everyone watching a special play to remember.
Take a look at what others had to say about Newton's eye-popping score.
Head coach Ron Rivera: "I thought it was a good call at the time. You always hope for the best with him and believe me, he wants to put it in the end zone and he is going to do whatever he takes to get it in there."
Tight end Greg Olsen: "I told him the Russian judge gave him a 3, but everybody else gave him a 10. I guarantee the first thing he thought when he fell was he wished he'd stuck that landing. But that was pretty impressive."
Right tackle Mike Remmers: "That will probably be all over ESPN. It was really cool. That guy has got so much heart and dedication this game, and it showed right there. He put himself on the line. That was awesome. It was a huge play. … I glanced over and just saw legs and then saw him land on his feet. It was awesome."
Left tackle Michael Oher: "Just seeing him running around like that, a couple of times I said to myself, 'This guy is special.' He's a great player, and it's fun to be on his side."
Wide receiver Philly Brown: "That was incredible, but that's just him. That's him just being an athlete."
View game action photos from Carolina's 24-17 win over Houston.
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a pass over the arms of Houston Texans' Brian Cushing (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Houston Texans' Ryan Mallett (15) looks to pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Kyle Love (93) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) hits Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) as Newton looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Houston Texans' Cecil Shorts (18) loses his helmet as he is hit by Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) and Thomas Davis (58) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Houston Texans' Keith Mumphery (12) is tackled by a Carolina Panthers player during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, right, argues a call with an official during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) scrambles past Houston Texans' Vince Wilfork (75) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Ted Ginn (19) catches a touchdown pass as Houston Texans' A.J. Bouye (34) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates his touchdown pass with Derek Anderson (3) and Joe Webb (14) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Carolina Panthers' Jerricho Cotchery (82) tries to run past Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) catches a pass in front of Houston Texans' Johnathan Joseph (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) celebrates after a catch for a first down against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans' Rahim Moore (26) intercepts a pass intended for Carolina Panthers' Kevin Norwood (81) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Houston Texans' Rahim Moore (26) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Carolina Panthers' Kevin Norwood (81) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. The Texans recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a pass over Houston Texans' Vince Wilfork (75) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans' DeAndre Hopkins (10) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman (24) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) runs past Houston Texans' Kevin Johnson (30) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) is tackled by Houston Texans' Whitney Mercilus (59) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Cam Newton, de los Panthers de Carolina, salta por encima de Jared Crick, de los Texans de Houston, para un touchdown en la segunda mitad del juego del domingo 20 de septiembre de 2015 en Charlotte, North Carolina. (Foto AP/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) dives over Houston Texans' Jared Crick (93) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' A.J. Klein (56) returns an interception against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Corey Brown (10) catches a touchdown pass as Houston Texans' Johnathan Joseph (24) defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Houston Texans' Ryan Mallett (15) runs into the end zone past Carolina Panthers' Kawann Short (99) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Carolina Panthers' Graham Gano (9) attempts a field goal against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. The Panthers won 24-17. The field goal was blocked. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
CORRECTS DAY AND DATE - Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, center, argues with officials in the final seconds of the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. The Panthers won 24-17. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
