Cam Newton Struggles with No Longer Being ‘Superman’ to His 8 Kids After Losing NFL Salary

Mar. 15, 2025

Cam Newton.Photo:Prince Williams/WireImage

Prince Williams/WireImage

Cam Newtonis opening up about a difficult topic.The former professional athlete, 35, shared a little bit about transitioning away from playing in the NFL during this week’s episode ofSpecial Forces. Newton, who left the sport in 2021 after playing for the Carolina Panthers that season, said that it’s been hard for him to feel like a “superman” to his eight kids now that he isn’t making the same amount of money anymore.“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 came in the same. Like I got eight kids.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Cam Newton holds his son Caesar.Cam Newton/ Instagram"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.“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.'“Newton is dad to eight kids — he shares four children with his ex-girlfriend,Kia Proctor— sonsChosen Sebastian, Camidas Swain andCashmere Saintand daughterSovereign-Dior Cambella— and helps raise Proctor’s older daughter, Shakira. Newton also shares two children with photographer LaReina Shaw — their son,Caesarand Shaw’s older son, Jaden, from a previous relationship.Cam Newton relaxes with three of his children.Cam Newton/ InstagramThe athlete and his girlfriend Jasmin Brown, who have been dating since 2022, welcomed their first child together, a girl, in March 2024. They have not yet revealed her name.In honor of Father’s Day 2020, Newton — who had seven kids at the time — shared a series of photos of his family onInstagram, alongside a caption about his love of fatherhood.“A daddy isn’t defined as the man who makes the child (not in all instances), but rather a man who extends his hands and time to help with the child’s raising and his heart to love the child through anything!!” he wrote in part. “Blood doesn’t always make you Daddy. Being a dad comes from the heart.”

Cam Newtonis opening up about a difficult topic.

The former professional athlete, 35, shared a little bit about transitioning away from playing in the NFL during this week’s episode ofSpecial Forces. Newton, who left the sport in 2021 after playing for the Carolina Panthers that season, said that it’s been hard for him to feel like a “superman” to his eight kids now that he isn’t making the same amount of money anymore.

“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 came in the same. Like I got eight kids.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Cam Newton holds his son Caesar.Cam Newton/ Instagram

Cam Newton/ Instagram

“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.

“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.'”

Newton is dad to eight kids — he shares four children with his ex-girlfriend,Kia Proctor— sonsChosen Sebastian, Camidas Swain andCashmere Saintand daughterSovereign-Dior Cambella— and helps raise Proctor’s older daughter, Shakira. Newton also shares two children with photographer LaReina Shaw — their son,Caesarand Shaw’s older son, Jaden, from a previous relationship.

Cam Newton relaxes with three of his children.Cam Newton/ Instagram

The athlete and his girlfriend Jasmin Brown, who have been dating since 2022, welcomed their first child together, a girl, in March 2024. They have not yet revealed her name.

In honor of Father’s Day 2020, Newton — who had seven kids at the time — shared a series of photos of his family onInstagram, alongside a caption about his love of fatherhood.

“A daddy isn’t defined as the man who makes the child (not in all instances), but rather a man who extends his hands and time to help with the child’s raising and his heart to love the child through anything!!” he wrote in part. “Blood doesn’t always make you Daddy. Being a dad comes from the heart.”

source: people.com