Cam Newton Opens Up About Financial Struggles Post-NFL Career

ATLANTA, Ga. — Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, 35, revealed the emotional and financial challenges he faces in his post-football career during a recent episode of the Fox reality show “Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.” Newton, who retired from the NFL in 2021, shared his struggles with adjusting to life without the lucrative salary he once earned as a professional athlete.

“I’m going into a different phase of my life that’s going to require a different form of myself,” Newton said on the show. “Being in the NFL, everyone knows there’s a large sum of money that comes to you in a short span of time, and being away from the game for three years, those checks don’t come in the same. Like, I got eight kids.”

Newton, who earned approximately $135 million during his 11-year NFL career, expressed how difficult it has been to provide for his large family. “It hurts me knowing that I can’t provide like I once did. It hurts thinking that I’m Superman, but in reality, I’m just a man,” he added.

The former MVP quarterback shares four children with his ex-girlfriend Kia Proctor: sons Chosen Sebastian, Camidas Swain, and Cashmere Swaint, and daughter Sovereign-Dior Cambella. He also helps raise Proctor’s older daughter, Shakira. Newton has two children with photographer LaReina Shaw: son Caesar and Shaw’s older son, Jaden, from a previous relationship. In March 2024, Newton and his current girlfriend, Jasmin Brown, welcomed their first child together, a baby girl whose name has not yet been revealed.

Newton reflected on his journey, quoting, “There’s a famous quote that says in order to get something that you’ve never had, you go to do something that you’ve never done. At 35, I can literally say, ‘Okay, now I’m getting prepared for this next chapter of my life.'”

In addition to his appearance on “Special Forces,” Newton has transitioned into a role as an analyst for ESPN‘s “First Take,” which he joined in October 2023. Despite his post-NFL career challenges, Newton remains a prominent figure in the sports world. He holds franchise records for the Carolina Panthers, including passing yards (29,725), passing touchdowns (186), and rushing touchdowns (63).

Newton’s candid remarks have resonated with fans, shedding light on the often-overlooked struggles athletes face after leaving the spotlight. His story serves as a reminder of the pressures of maintaining a high-profile career while balancing personal responsibilities.