Keep Pounding: Cam Newton could attend Panthers' playoff game

The Panthers have contacted Cam Newton about beating the Keep Pounding drum before Saturday's wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams, and sources say the team is optimistic he will attend. The game is Carolina's first home playoff game at Bank of America Stadium in 10 years.

The Carolina Panthers have reached out to Cam Newton about beating the team's Keep Pounding drum before Saturday's wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams. It would be his first game at Bank of America Stadium since 2021 and would come as the franchise hosts its first home playoff game in a decade. The team has invited several members of the 2015 Super Bowl roster back this season and fans have publicly lobbied for Newton to take part. A team spokesperson declined to confirm specifics about who will drum before the game. Key details: - Sources say the Panthers contacted Newton and are optimistic he will attend the pregame drumming. - Saturday's game is Carolina's first home playoff game at Bank of America Stadium in 10 years. - Newton last appeared at the stadium in 2021 when he re-signed with the team late in the season. - The team has brought back members of the 2015 squad, including Greg Olsen, Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil, to participate in pregame events. - Newton was the NFL MVP in 2015 and finished his Panthers career as the franchise leader in multiple passing and rushing touchdown categories, as reported in the article. - Newton publicly said he was hurt after not being invited to a team trip to Germany last year, and the team has previously said its doors are open to him. Summary: Newton's potential appearance would add to an unofficial 10-year anniversary theme for the 2015 team as the Panthers host a rare home playoff game. Confirmation remains pending after the team's outreach and a spokesperson's decision not to announce specifics; the final status of his attendance is undetermined at this time.