Panthers QB Cam Newton

on the game
“This game was a wake-up call for us. We knew we can’t just win games by just showing up. We knew we were going to have to come in and beat a good team. Record aside, the Saints are, and have, and will, play us great every single time we play them. It’s a division game, there’s a lot of pride on the line, and a team we know will give us their best game.”

on going through concussion protocol
“Well, I got hit. I deserved to get hit to be honest with you, looking back at it. I had to use the bathroom and I told the team doctors can we do the (concussion) protocol in the back? And when I came in and used the restroom, I think his name was Dr. Heck, came in and did the concussion protocol with our team doctor, and asked me numerous questions like the days of the week, and how many turnovers we had in the game – and I told him I was fine.”

on his health
“It’s a physical sport – I mean it’s not ballet. Football is a collision sport. But I’m fine, and I do not have a concussion. The referee did a tremendous job. Numerous times he kept asking me if I was all right. He kept looking at me in the eye to make sure I was focused. I’ve been keeping up with things in the NFL and guys having concussions – especially the situation that happened in St. Louis. But hear me when I say, I do not have a concussion.”

on taking an unnecessary hit
“When I pulled up, I saw him at the last minute, and I took a shot. There was probably a lot of people that wanted to see that happen. I’m going to talk to my father tonight, and he’s probably going to tell me what I already expect: I deserved it … Playing this game, you have to finish. That’s what Coach harps on each and every day, and I didn’t do that right there, and I deserved it.”

on bouncing back after dropped passes
“That’s the name of the game – to give your teammates a chance to keep making plays. Football is the ultimate team sport; especially offensive football. You’ve got to trust your guys. I mean Ted (Ginn Jr.), he’s not dropping the ball intentionally. I’ll tell you that. I mean you’ve got guys out there who are trying to make plays and compete, and when that happens, mistakes are going to happen. But yet, through it all, we had some good points in this game and we had some bad points in this game. We were just lucky to get out of here with a win today.”