Cam Newton raises fist after scoring touchdown

Cam Newton made a political display after scoring a touchdown in the Carolina Panthers’ game at the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Newton rushed for a 7-yard score in the fourth quarter to make it 30-16 for Carolina. After getting into the end zone, Newton raised a fist:

Cam Newton holds up a fist after rushing TD pic.twitter.com/LMLnCKTVik

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 1, 2017

For the majority of his career, Newton declined to make political statements that could rock the boat. Even last year he said race wasn’t driving any criticism of him.

Recently though he has changed his approach and spoken up.

“My hat goes off to the Colin Kaepernicks of the world,” Newton said last week via Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer. “He’s made the ultimate sacrifice [as a player] and I respect that wholeheartedly. I can’t let a moment go by without shedding light to that: A person that does have the talent to play, a person that should be in this league, but I feel as if he’s not getting his just due because of his views.

“But that’s a legend, right there. For him to think outside of himself, to raise awareness of something that, this is 365 days removed from his first initial stand, and now here we are doing the same things. And now everybody is kind of understanding what his reasoning was, and I respect that.”

Newton’s sudden political shows of support come at a time when the Panthers’ owner delivered one of the softest responses to President Trump’s “son of a b—-” comments.

Statement from Panthers Owner/Founder Jerry Richardson pic.twitter.com/aTDcTkfIRW

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 25, 2017

Newton confirmed after the game that he raised a Black Power fist.

Cam Newton says raised fist was to signify black power and pride.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 1, 2017

Something appears to have motivated Newton to depart from his previous form and make a statement.