Ron Rivera recalls how unstoppable Cam Newton was on 4th down, Super Bowl stories

Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera shares stories about Cam Newton, 1984 Chicago Bears.

Tim Weaver | Nov 9, 2024

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 9, 2018: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers embraces quarterback Cam Newton #1 prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns on December 9, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won 26-20. / (Photo by: 2018 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)

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Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have found out the hard way that no number one overall draft pick is a slam dunk. While the jury is still out on Bryce Young, they at least got it right back in 2011 when they took Cam Newton out of Auburn with the first pick in what became an all-time great draft class.

Newton went on to have one of the most-impressive rookie seasons by any quarterback in modern NFL history, then he made three Pro Bowl teams, earned one All-Pro honor and won an MVP award and an NFC Championship. Newton's greatest claim to fame may have been as the greatest dual-threat quarterback of all time, but he's since been surpassed by Lamar Jackson by his own admission. However, when it comes to converting short-yardage situations, Newton is still in a class all his own among QBs.

Here's former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera talking about how great Cam was on fourth down, and how much harder it became without him.

Ron Rivera on Cam Newton on 4th down

Cam Newton is the Greatest 4th down weapon of all time

Presented by @DraftKings #Dkpartner pic.twitter.com/GelonOmn19
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) November 8, 2024

Before he became a coach, Rivera also enjoyed a storied career as a player. While he never made a Pro Bowl team Rivera played linebacker pretty well from 1984-1992 for the Chicago Bears, including being a part of the greatest team of all time in his rookie season.

In addition to being the most dominant defense ever, those Bears came with a host of legendary personalities and larger-than-life characters. Here's Rivera talking about an epic Super Bowl week hangover from quarterback Jim McMahon.

Ron Rivera on '85 Bears

Ron Rivera telling Super Bowl stories has the entire cave mesmerized. @RiverboatRonHC pic.twitter.com/NPEonOYryc
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) November 8, 2024

After getting fired from his job in Carolina, Rivera went on to coach the Washington Commanders for four seasons, but he was fired last year. All together Rivera has a 102-103-2 career record, but he also has won two Coach of the Year awards.