For the first time in eight years, the Carolina Panthers drafted a player at the quarterback position. Ending 2010 with just two wins, coach John Fox saw his nine year career with the Panthers come to a close. Then owner Jerry Richardson elected to move in another direction, bringing in Ron Rivera and general manager Marty Hurney made Cam Newton the No. 1 overall pick of the NFL Draft.
Newton immediately made his impact evident in professional football. Not only did he collect offensive Rookie of the Year, but he’s also gone on to win an NFL MVP award while leading Carolina through arguably their greatest stretch in franchise history.