Two weeks after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his throwing shoulder, Cam Newton dropped a video taking fans inside the process. It was the first release on the Panthers quarterback's new YouTube channel, described as "a Vlog series on Newton's life during the offseason, as well as during the season."
The debut video begins at 5:30 a.m. the morning of the procedure, which Newton termed a "clean up." While driving to the hospital, he described how his frustration grew during the 2018 season.
"This persona that we play, you can't show no signs of weakness. But I was weak, and I felt so vulnerable. I felt so scared. I felt so afraid because I know I wasn't myself," Newton said. "I didn't know what was wrong with my shoulder. I just knew that it hurt, and I knew it was an issue. I couldn't throw the ball no further than 30 yards, no lie. So I was trying to keep up with it as much as possible until the wheels fell off.
"I felt like defenses [were] exposing me because they knew I couldn't throw the ball downfield. Not being in the position physically to be able to make the throws that you know you're capable of making, that was the most disheartening thing of the whole year."
Once the procedure was complete, the doctor told Newton:
"The damage, that cartilage damage, was not as extensive as we had feared. It was definitely there; we knew that, but it was pretty small, so I think if we get that motion back and keep it, we'll be pretty good."
So does Newton.
"Seeing the doubt, hearing the whispers of, 'He don't got it no more,' fuels me. That's what makes this comeback even more extraordinary. I feel this is going to make me even more dangerous," Newton said.
"When it's all said and done, I can look back at my life and I know that this particular time in my life propelled me to that next point, and I'm excited for what the future holds."
