FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton reflected on his challenging 2020 season in a long and passionate video conference on Thursday that looked like a farewell interview in which he was saying goodbye.
“My only regret was wishing I had more time to dissect what I was really doing,” said Newton when asked if there was something he could have done differently to contribute to greater personal success.
“I’ve been in this league long enough to always minimize, like, ‘Man, we don’t need a preseason. We don’t need OTAs. We are ready to go. ‘ Yes, maybe if I was still on the system I came from. But learning this system, you just need more time, you need more real representatives to proceed, because there is only, but a lot that you can kind of invent.
“You could put your lashes on. You could make your eyebrows. You could put on your lipstick. Mascara and lip liner. But sooner or later, it’s going to rain and the real truth is going to show you. And, unfortunately, it showed – – not necessarily the way I wanted. “
Newton, who spent most of the off-season as a free agent before signing a modest one-year contract with the Patriots on July 8, leads New England in its season finale on Sunday against visitor New York Jets (CBS, 13h ET). Despite saying that he does not know what the future holds, he hinted that this will be his last game for the Patriots (6-9), noting that there are teammates with whom he still plans to have contacts in the future.
In 14 games as Tom Brady’s replacement this season, Newton has 221 of 338 to 2,415 yard passes, with five touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 513 run yards out of 126 loaded, with 12 touchdowns. Newton tested positive for coronavirus in early October, losing a game and due to an injury to his abdomen in early December.
But Newton said the hardest part of 2020 was getting away from his children, which included missing two birthday parties, Christmas and memorable moments, like his son’s first steps.
“All these things, being unemployed for 86 nights, yes, it is difficult. Having injuries, yes, it is difficult. Get through this season and you can assume that Boston is a huge media market. … The slander that comes with meeting TB12 expectations, yes, all of this is difficult. [But] none of this comes close to not being able to see your children. And on top, are you terrible? Oh man.
“For me, I can still be better. I can still be more consistent. Some of the pitches I made, I wish I had recovered. But still nobody cares about the circumstances, nobody cares about the waves or the tide that is in the water. They only care about you just pulling that ship in, and I didn’t do it with enough consistency. “
Newton, 31, called himself a “mentally tough son of a bitch” when asked what he learned about himself, saying his focus on optimism helped.
“It was almost like hiding for me – working on my attitude, patience, faith, your resilient side. What are you going to do when things are not so good?” he said.
“Because sometimes during this year, it was like, ‘God, what are you doing? What are you trying to tell me? ‘ It teaches you to be patient, it teaches you to have faith and to understand that, listen, sooner or later, you will have a rest.
“I’m not looking for handouts. And 2020, I’m about to sign, seal [and] tie this year, make a big knot in it. I can buy every lock and key and throw them all away. I don’t want to see any part of 2020. But it made me a better person. That, I believe. “