Cam Newton Explains Brock Purdy's Criticism, Responds to Deebo Samuel

Cam Newton has weighed in…again.

The former Carolina Panthers quarterback clarified his recent criticism of Brock Purdy, which included referring to San Francisco's signal caller as a “game manager” instead of a “game changer” and a vague social media post during Monday's 49ers-Baltimore Ravens contest.

“I know I was right, but that doesn't mean I'm saying Brock Purdy isn't a good football player,” Newton said on his “4th & 1” radio show released Wednesday. “…It takes a lot of players to have a successful, dominant game. There are a lot of those interceptions [against the Ravens] Passes were made. I know that feeling. So, it could have been anyone, and I'm not going to be an advocate for hating people because they didn't play a good game.

“I said what I said. It was never meant to disrespect or belittle anyone. Did you say they're game managers? Yeah. That's still not a bad connotation. But I said there's only four to five game-changers in this league. One of them is It was on the show last night. [Ravens QB] Lamar Jackson is capable of taking over the game at any time or whenever he wants to. This is what makes it a game changer.”

Newton also raised some eyebrows when, during San Francisco's Christmas Eve loss to Baltimore, he sent a well-timed post on X, formerly known as Twitter, featuring three single-eyed emojis. The game was arguably the worst showing of Purdy's young career, as he threw a career-high four interceptions and no touchdowns before exiting the game in the fourth quarter with a stingray.

Newton later clarified in a separate video on his X account on Wednesday that the emoji was not meant in a bad way toward Purdy.

In the same video, the former NFL MVP also responded to Deebo Samuel after the 49ers wide receiver called him out during his weekly appearance on “Up & Adams” over his criticism of Purdy.

“I basically used single-eyed emojis like: 'What's going on here?'” “I don't want to take back my statement. I said what I said. Or in this case, I put it like I did,” Newton said in a statement NSFW video Who tagged Samuel. “Now, Deebo. Dude. I was a fan, I'm still a fan. You gotta stop the hat, bro. I said something like, 'Cam, stop calling my phone.' Motherf-care, I don't get your number. Whatever.” Whoever is calling you, that's not my phone calling you. It was very reasonable for me to go back to my phone [to check]. This – it was believable.

“But I don't even have your phone number to call you or reach out to you. And if I do, I put it out there for people to see. I want the receipts because maybe someone is reaching out to you that I don't know.” I know necessarily, but it wasn't me.

“No, I don't like it. So whoever's calling you Deebo, it's not me, bro. But I'm still fucking you. And I know you're hurting from the loss.” You defend your teammate, as you should. “I'm still your fan, bro.”

Newton wasn't Samuel's only target, as he also criticized Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons on “Up & Adams” for his criticism of Purdy during the 49ers loss.

“First off, Cam Newton, stop texting my phone, bro,” Samuel said. “I've been a fan for two weeks. This is crazy. You wanted me on your podcast after you talked about the quarterback, which is funny to me.”

“But back to Micah Parsons. Brother, we beat you.” [42-10] A long time ago. “I don't understand why he's so upset about what's going on here or whatever the case may be.”

The plot continues to intensify on the player who does not pay attention to outside noise. But there is a level of uncertainty that this will be the last we hear from all parties involved.

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