Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, who is from College Park and spends his offseasons in Atlanta, is excited to play his first game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“This is a new dome, so I think it’s time to create lasting memories,” Newton said while speaking to the Charlotte media Wednesday.
Newton has guided the Panthers back to the playoffs after a 6-10 season in 2016, the season after he was voted the NFL’s MVP en route to a Super Bowl 50 loss.
A graduate of Westlake High, Newton is flourishing while passing and running the football.
With a chance to improve their playoff seeding, Newton and the Panthers (11-4) are set to face the Falcons (9-6) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday.
Newton played his first game at the Georgia Dome during the SEC Championship game with Auburn in 2010. He saw the new $1.5 billion stadium being built, but didn’t take a tour.
"I wanted to make it more special," Newton said. "I had opportunities to go, but it doesn't feel the same. I'm pretty sure I'll see it when we go down there Saturday or Sunday."
Newton was happy that the Falcons didn’t win the Super Bowl last season.
“Just depends on which offseason, because every offseason is different,” Newton said. “ Last year’s offseason was extremely miserable. But the fact that (the Falcons) didn’t win the Super Bowl was like, OK, finally.
“It was a lot of people coming out the woodworks claiming to be Falcon fans.”
He considers Atlanta and Charlotte to be his home now.
“You can expect the trash talk, and you can expect certain things to be said,” Newton said. “It’s no harm done. I understand the position I am in. In a lot of ways I am a target to get people’s reactions.
“It’s kind of fun to hear certain things, but I guess it’s put-up-or-shut-up time come Sunday. That’s the only time that no talking can affect the game play or the outcome of the game. I’m hoping the outcome of the game is greater.”
Newton sees a lot of the Falcons when in Atlanta during the offseason.
“Atlanta is a hub for a lot of people,” Newton said. “For the movie industry, for the music industry. ... (There are) a lot of workout facilities for people to go to there. You never know who you might see.”
Former high school coach Dallas Allen and Westlake High are still important to Newton.
“My respect goes unmatched not only to (Allen), but numerous coaches who coached at my high school and throughout my college career and everything,” Newton said. “My heart is always with Westlake. I’m trying to do every and anything that I can when I have time to give back to those guys.”
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