ESPN hires former NFL, Auburn QB Cam Newton as 'First Take' regular, will make debut on Friday

Cam Newton is the latest addition to the cast at ESPN.

ESPN has announced their hiring of Newton as a regular guest on ‘First Take’. The Hollywood Reporter had reported it earlier in the morning on Thursday. This comes a few days after the show announced that Newton would appear with them when they’re on-site to end this week at Tennessee State University.

“Cam Newton’s addition to First Take brings an electrifying presence, enhancing our roster of top-tier personalities,” said David Roberts, Executive VP at ESPN, in the report. “His dynamic charisma, combined with the high-profile debates alongside Stephen A. Smith, will create compelling, must-watch television for fans.”

“I’ve always brought passion and energy into everything I do, and that won’t change at ESPN,” added Newton himself. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share my perspective and go toe-to-toe with the best in the business. Fans can expect the same intensity I brought to the field, along with real talk, bold takes, and good fun.”

ESPN has shuffled much of their talent lineup around in all aspects over the course of the last year. That includes ‘First Take’, a leading program on the network, with the additions of Shannon Sharpe and Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo among others now alongside Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim.

Newton hasn’t officially retired from the game of football. However, he hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021.

Since then, Newton has created his own media presence online.

Newton played for a little over a decade in the pros with the Carolina Panthers and then just a season with the New England Patriots. In that career, he completed 59.9% of his passes for 32,382 yards, 194 touchdowns, and 123 interceptions while also rushing for 5,628 more yards and 75 additional scores. That makes him one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the history of the league. He also earned honors as Most Valuable Player in 2015, the season where he led the Panthers to an appearance in Super Bowl 50, while being a Pro Bowler three times and an All-Pro once.

Newton was also an all-time collegiate player for Auburn while also being at Florida in the SEC. He’s most obviously remembered for his time on The Plains when he won The Heisman Trophy in 2010. He completed 66.1% of his throws for 2,854 yards, 30 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while running for 1,473 yards and 20 more scores. All that helped the Tigers to win the conference title as well as the national championship. He also won another national title two years prior with the Gators as a backup to Tim Tebow.

Newton is a loud personality and was so both on and off the field. That makes him a natural fit on the show ahead of his debut on it tomorrow morning.