Cam Newton Has Thoughtful but NSFW Response to Idea of Auburn QB Wearing His Number”:
Cam Newton Has Thoughtful but NSFW Response to Idea of Auburn QB Wearing His Number
AUBURN, Ala. – May 31, 2025 — When it comes to Auburn football, few names ring louder than Cam Newton. The Heisman Trophy winner and national champion is not just a legend on The Plains — he’s the standard. So when a question surfaced recently about whether a current or future Auburn quarterback should be allowed to wear his iconic No. 2 jersey, Newton delivered a response that was as heartfelt as it was unfiltered.
In true Cam fashion, he didn’t hold back.
That was the headline-grabbing quote that set social media ablaze. Speaking on his Funky Friday podcast, Newton was asked about Auburn quarterbacks potentially donning his famous number. After a brief pause, he chuckled and gave a blunt, NSFW answer:
“Hell nah — that s*** stays with me. I bled in that jersey. I made Auburn a damn powerhouse again. Let somebody else make their own legacy. Don’t ride mine.”
It was raw. It was emotional. And it was unmistakably Cam.
But behind the expletives was a thoughtful, deeply personal take on legacy, ownership, and the emotional weight of wearing a number that means more than fabric and thread.
Cam Newton’s 2010 season remains arguably the greatest single season by a quarterback in college football history. In just one year at Auburn, he threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns, rushed for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns, and caught another for good measure — all while leading the Tigers to a 14-0 season and their first national title since 1957.
He wasn’t just great; he was transcendent.
When Newton wore No. 2, it became a symbol of dominance, swagger, and Auburn’s return to national prominence. In the years since, Auburn has unofficially “retired” the number. It’s been kept off-limits out of respect, even though it hasn’t been formally shelved by the university.
The question arose again after recent comments from Auburn offensive coordinator Derrick Nix, who spoke to local media about how incoming freshmen are assigned jersey numbers. Nix made an offhand remark:
“We’ve got some young guys who love Cam, who grew up watching him. One even asked if 2 was available. I told him… probably not.”
That tiny quote lit a fire online. Some fans speculated whether the university should officially retire Newton’s number, while others argued that it was time to pass it on to the next generational quarterback.
That chatter made its way to Cam himself. And when he heard it, he gave the kind of answer only he could — explicit, sure, but also undeniably real.
Newton elaborated in the podcast episode, saying that today’s players need to stop chasing the past and start creating their own lane:
“It ain’t about copying me. It’s about building your own story. Put on 15. Put on 10. Hell, put on 29 — I don’t care. Just don’t try to wear my jersey and think it’ll make you play like me. It don’t work like that.”
He continued:
“You gotta earn that s***. You gotta go through the fire, like I did. You gotta go undefeated. You gotta silence every critic, every game. You gotta carry a whole damn university on your back. That number means something.”
For Newton, the issue isn’t just about ego. It’s about legacy. In a sport where numbers can become synonymous with greatness — think Michael Jordan’s 23 or Tom Brady’s 12 — Newton’s No. 2 at Auburn carries a similar reverence.
Auburn fans are nothing if not passionate, and Newton’s response drew a range of reactions — from support to surprise to disappointment.
One fan posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Cam earned the right to speak his mind. That number should never be worn again. Period.”
Another added:
“I get Cam’s pride, but come on. Why not inspire the next guy to reach that level by letting him wear the jersey? Isn’t that what tradition is about?”
Some felt the language was over the top, especially from someone still so closely tied to the program. Others said Newton’s fire was precisely what makes him beloved on The Plains.
“I don’t mind the swearing,” said Auburn alum Sarah Reed. “That’s just Cam. He speaks with passion. He’s not trying to be a politician. He’s being honest, and Auburn fans appreciate that.”
When asked about the No. 2 jersey, Auburn Athletics declined to comment on individual player numbers, stating only that “all jersey assignments are handled internally by the coaching staff and subject to change based on team needs.”
Unofficially, it’s been understood that Newton’s number is off-limits — not because of any formal policy, but because of what it symbolizes.
If there’s a movement to officially retire it, this latest controversy might be the spark.
Though he’s now one of Auburn’s most famous ambassadors, Newton’s relationship with the university hasn’t always been easy.
After his one-year blitzkrieg in 2010, Newton left for the NFL, where he became the No. 1 overall pick and went on to win the NFL MVP in 2015. Despite that, some critics questioned his brief tenure in college and his sometimes flashy, polarizing demeanor.
But over time, Newton has made a point of staying close to Auburn. He’s returned for spring games, met with recruits, and been involved in community outreach. And Auburn fans have embraced him in return.
“I’m Auburn through and through,” Newton said during a 2023 interview. “Nobody can take that from me.”
This latest controversy, NSFW language and all, only reinforces that bond.
While Newton’s response may seem harsh, there’s an underlying message that could serve young athletes well: respect those who came before you, but don’t mimic them blindly. Chart your own course.
Several current Auburn players have reportedly responded positively to Newton’s message.
Quarterback Holden Geriner, when asked about the No. 2 jersey at a recent media day, said:
“That number’s sacred. If Cam says it stays with him, then I’m cool with that. He earned it.”
Another incoming freshman quarterback, who had reportedly been eyeing the number, said he’ll be switching to No. 7. “I want to build my own legacy,” he told reporters. “Cam’s a legend, and I respect that.”
The debate over jersey numbers isn’t unique to Auburn. Across college football and professional sports, there are constant discussions about whether iconic numbers should be retired, passed on, or honored in other ways.
At USC, Reggie Bush’s No. 5 was banned for years. At Florida, Tim Tebow’s No. 15 hasn’t been worn since. Even at Alabama, you rarely see players wear No. 12 — the number of Joe Namath and Ken Stabler.
Jersey numbers are more than identifiers. They’re storytelling devices. And in Cam Newton’s case, his No. 2 jersey is the story.
Will Auburn officially retire the number? It’s unclear.
There’s been no formal movement to do so, but Newton’s candid comments have certainly reignited the conversation. With Newton still closely tied to the program — and with NIL, social media, and player branding now such a central part of the college football landscape — Auburn may soon face pressure to make a decision.
For now, one thing is certain: as long as Cam Newton has a voice, the story of the No. 2 jersey isn’t going anywhere.
And if you’re thinking about putting it on?
You’d better be ready to earn it.
