Panthers QB Cam Newton

RE: Was this the moment you’ve prepared for your entire career?

“We came out and had a pretty successful game, but I know there are a lot of people who feel just like me – we’re not done yet. We’re going to live in the moment right now. Happy for not only the teammates, but happy for the Carolinas, happy for the organization and Mr. Richardson and I’m just thankful for the process. It wasn’t pretty at times. We’ve been doubted. We’ve been slated; all of the above, but yet when you have turnouts like today it makes it all worthwhile.”

RE: Journey from day after draft to now

“Long time it feels like, but yet we’ve still got a long way to go. I said it then and I’ll say it now, I’m excited. It was a process. It wasn’t going to be – what did I say – instant grits, quick grits. It was going to be a process like long cooked collard greens. I think those collard greens are brewing right now. You can smell it from 100 miles away.”

RE: Wearing the No. 1

“Yeah, it’s a responsibility in wearing it and for everybody who takes subliminal shots at me for character reasons, showboat reasons, anything, it just happened that way. Know what I’m saying. From a number I wear with so much pride being that no one has ever worn that number in franchise history, and yet number 1 means so much. So many people may think ‘he’s number 1, wants everyone to look at him’ do this, that and the third. There’s a lot of people behind the scenes that make a big difference in my success. You’ll never hear or see these names in the paper, from Andrew Norwell to Ryan Kalil to Michael Oher, even Ed Dickson, Trai Turner, Mike Remmers. Those guys played their tails off today and I’m just the recipient of running or throwing with unbelievable protection.”

RE: Teammates still surprised by things you do. Do you surprise yourself?

“Not really, because so much of what I do is already I want to say pre-determined. I’ve thought of this moment way before this moment … When you’re put in a situation like this, a big game, you played it out so many times in your mind, so for when you run a touchdown, when you throw, when you’re flipping into the end zone, it’s kind of like that dream has now become the reality. And yeah, it may be a surprise to so many people, but that’s how I envisioned it in the dream.”