Cam Newton, the quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, won the 2015 National Football League Most Valuable Player award on Saturday night at the National Football League Honors, which was held in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
"It means so much, but not just for myself,'' Newton said. "To be the first person in Panthers history to win it -- that's what I'm most proud about. I've received a lot of awards, but to be able to get this organization here, I'm really proud. We didn't get in this position by happenstance. It took years of hard work and dedication, and now we are reaping the benefits."
Newton, was drafted first overall by the Panthers in the 2011 NFL Draft, will look to add another trophy to his collection on Sunday as the Panthers take on the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The quarterback also won the 2015 Offensive Player of the Year award.
"Cam took an unconventional journey to get here, and we're just so proud of what has happened, my family and I," Cecil Newton, Cam's father, said. "So many thanks go out to so many people, from Pop Warner to the Panthers. I don't have time to tell you all 'thank you.' You know who you are. We know who you are."
The fifth-year quarterback picked up 48-of-50 votes, while quarter back Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and quarterback Carson Palmer of the Arizona Cardinals each got one vote.
It was one of the best seasons a quarterback could ask for, as Newton completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns. The quarterback from Auburn University only threw 10 interceptions this season, while adding 132 carries for 636 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Newton led the league with a 7.1 touchdown percentage, which is the percentage of touchdowns thrown when attempting to pass the football.
"When Cam steps into that locker room and that huddle, everybody's chest gets a little bit more puffed out," two-time Most Valuable Player Kurt Warner said of Newton. "Everybody believes a little bit more that we can get something done. That's what the great ones have."
Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy, a National Championship, the NFL Most Valuable Player award and a Super Bowl. If Newton wins the Super Bowl on Sunday against the Broncos, he will become the second player to every complete all those achievements.
The awards are nice and Newton must be enjoying the moment, but the only thing on his mind is defeating the Broncos in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday at 6:30 PM ET.
"I'm very proud," Newton said. "We didn’t get in this position by happenstance. It took years of hard work and dedication."