Cam Newton’s alma mater is retiring his jersey number.
On Monday, Auburn posted a video announcing that the school would be retiring the No. 2 jersey worn by Newton during the school’s 2010 National Championship run.
The former New England Patriots quarterback is the fourth player to have his number retired by Auburn. The other three are Pat Sullivan (7), Bo Jackson (34) and Terry Beasley (88).
Auburn athletic director John Cohen and deputy athletic director Tim Jackson surprised Newton with the news. The former quarterback had been in the middle of an interview about his playing days at Auburn when the two came in.
Jackson noted that, while no one has worn No. 2 since Newton played in the National Championship Game against Oregon, “technically,” someone could.
“I think what Tim’s trying to say is, ain’t nobody gonna wear it from here on out, because we’re retiring your number, brother,” Cohen said.
“Thank you. Appreciate it,” Newton said as he hugged the two men.
You can watch the video of the moment here.
Newton is a bit unique when it comes to college legends. The eventual No. 1 pick of the 2011 NFL Draft spent just one season with the Tigers. But what a season it was.
Newton passed for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns that year while also rushing for a whopping 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns.
“The Auburn loves you. The Auburn family reveres you. Now the Auburn family is going to get to see your name and your number up in that stadium,” Cohen said. “I don’t know of anybody more deserving in Auburn history to have your name up that.”
Newton spent his first two college seasons at Florida before transferring to Blinn, a junior college in Texas. A year later, he returned to the FBS level as a program-changing talent at quarterback.
Newton went on to have a successful NFL career. During his initial nine-year run with the Carolina Panthers, Newton was a three-time Pro Bowl and was named the 2015 NFL MVP.
He then signed with the Patirots for the 2020 season, becoming the first quarterback to start for the team after the departure of Tom Brady. Newton had an up-and-down season in New England.
He remained in New England for training camp in 2021 but eventually lost the starting job to rookie Mac Jones and was cut.
Newton returned to Carolina later that season, appearing in eight games. That marked the last time Newton would appear in an NFL game.
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