Cam Newton Offers Guidance to Shedeur Sanders: Emphasize Work over Influence
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Shedeur Sanders, meet the ropes: Cam Newton dishes out some tough love on work ethic and staying humble after NFL setbacks.
Once touted as a top-notch QB prospect, Sanders ultimately got drafted in the fifth round (144th overall) by the Cleveland Browns. Speculations swirled that his stock dropped due to an "entitled" personality during the pre-draft phase.
Cam Newton, a seasoned 11-year NFL vet chosen first overall in 2011, has some wisdom to share with Sanders via his 4th & 1 podcast.
"Lead with effort, not influence," Newton advised, alluding to Sanders emulating a defensive back (DB) mentality rather than a QB one. He cautioned that while DBs can flaunt swagger, a QB must remember they are the franchise's CEO.
"As the CEO, you've got your boss (owner), general manager, head coach, position coach, teammates, and fans to cater to," Cam explained.
DIG DEEPER: Brett Favre's Thoughts for Shedeur Sanders and Late-Round NFL Prospects
Maybe Sanders' fifth-round selection was a bit of a reality check, which Newton believes might ultimately be beneficial for the new Browns signing.
"This is the perfect setting for Shedeur, forced to climb his way up the ladder," Newton opined. "Does he possess the talent to reach the top? Absolutely! And if I'm on his team, I'd remind him, 'Alright, brother, it's time to buckle down. Concentrate on our tasks.'"
Newton is confident Sanders will eventually start for the Browns this year.
However, coming from Cam Newton, who's known more for attention-seeking antics than keeping a low profile, those words of advice ring a bit hollow.
On the flip side, perhaps this is Newton offering a word of caution, a kind of "don't make the same mistakes I did" message? Or perhaps it's just a lack of self-awareness on Cam's part.
INSIGHT: Cam Newton emphasized that aspiring quarterbacks should prioritize professionalism and work over off-field publicity, and approach their roles as the franchise's CEO, demonstrating leadership and accountability. He pointed to Shedeur Sanders' questionable pre-draft attitude as an example, suggesting Sanders should focus on on-field performance and practice to define his rookie season.
- According to Cam Newton, Sanders, as the franchise's CEO, should lead with effort rather than influence, catering to his boss, general manager, head coach, position coach, teammates, and fans.
- Newton advised Sanders to focus on his tasks and buckle down, emphasizing that he possesses the talent to reach the top.
- Brett Favre's thoughts for Shedeur Sanders and late-round NFL prospects suggest that Sanders' fifth-round selection may have been a reality check, which could ultimately be beneficial for him.
- In his podcast, Cam Newton shared some wisdom with Sanders, drawing parallels between Sanders' defensive back mentality and a quarterback's responsibilities in American football.
- Newton's advice to Sanders is rooted in professionalism and work ethic, warning against an entitled attitude that might have impacted Sanders' draft standing and advising him to concentrate on his on-field performance to define his rookie season in the NFL.
