The NFL's most valuable player

Former Westlake High School and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is moving on from the touchdown celebration he performed last season that became popular, and controversial, across the country.

"I have to put that aside," the league's MVP said Thursday on WFNZ-AM radio's "The Mac Attack" show.

Newton, who led Auburn to a national championship on January 10, 2011, starting "dabbing" after a touchdown run against the Titans last November. The celebration, although criticized by some, took off. Soon college and high school athletes were imitating Newton, who picked up the move from the Atlanta-based hip-hop group Migos, who sang "Look at my dab."

The celebration stretched outside the lines with members of wedding parties photographed doing the dab. Kids in high school graduation photos did group dabs as well.

Newton took some criticism for his touchdown celebrations as the season wore on. But he defended his actions last season saying that he was just having fun.

He may have a new celebration next season.

"I have until September to find out," Newton told WFNZ-AM.

During the radio interview Newton also discussed his post-Super Bowl press conference in which he answered questions with short responses while wearing a hoodie draped over his head. After a three-minute interview, he Newton walked off the podium.

He said he hasn't seen footage of the news conference.

"I don't need to see it for me to understand the grief or backlash I got from it," Newton said. "I'm admitting I learned from it, and that's the first step."

Newton was criticized for not handling the Panthers' 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in a more professional manner.

"I'm not saying what I did was right," Newton said. "I'm not saying what I did was wrong. I just want people to see it from my vantage point. I've learned from it. No doubt."

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary reacts during the first practice of training camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Flowery Branch. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Cuthbert is the county seat of Randolph County, one of 94 Georgia counties that registered more deaths than births in 2024. The county's hospital closed in 2020, leaving longtime state Rep. Gerald Greene to drivce himself 46 miles to Albany while suffering from a kidney stone recently. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC