Cam Newton says he’s vaccinated, still wants to play in NFL

Free-agent quarterback Cam Newton said that he received the COVID-19 vaccination and he’s ready to get back to playing football. Newton made the announcement Sunday in a video entitled “COVID-19 Vaccine & My Career” on his YouTube channel.

Newton and his father are filmed getting their COVID-19 vaccine together. In the second half of the video, Newton addresses why he still wants to play after his release from the New England Patriots in the preseason.

“Hell yeah, I still want to play,” Newton said. “I still get that urge to go out and perform and do something that I’ve been doing since I was seven years old. But also it’s like, ‘Bruh, I’m so much more than football player. Respect me as such.’ I admire every athlete that’s out there that’s sacrificed so much, but I’ve sacrificed enough to be able to be in a comfortable position to be able to take care of my family for the time being.

“Long story short, I’m just waiting for the right opportunity. You’re probably asking yourself ‘don’t nobody want Cam.’ That’s a lie. I’ve been getting offers. The realization of it is it has to be right.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in preseason that Newton’s vaccination status didn’t factor into him being released. Sources told The Athletic in August there were varying levels of frustration in New England over Newton’s forced absence from at least three practices due to COVID-19 protocols.

(Photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)