Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton: Why all the fuss about fight?

A day after he fought with Carolina Panthers teammate Josh Norman at practice, franchise quarterback Cam Newton expressed no regrets and said the incident would serve to make the team better.

Newton’s fight with Norman, a cornerback, during Monday’s practice created headlines across the country. But Newton didn’t see what all the fuss was about.

“It’s football. Let’s not get it twisted about football. Emotion’s going to flare,” Newton said Tuesday. “For what I see it, it’s two people. I see multiple people getting involved and practicing their tails off. From the outside looking in, you see a scuffle. But it’s more to it than what people may look into.”

Although the two had exchanged words through the first week of training camp, Newton said there are no hard feelings between him and Norman. Newton said he sees in Norman a player who has improved every season and predicted 2015 would be Norman’s best year yet.

“At the end of the day, we’re better from it. It’s no hard feelings between no one in the locker room, including myself and Josh,” Newton said. “I’m bringing the best out of Josh, Josh is bringing the best out of me.”

As he did when there were questions about his offseason activities, which included playing a flag football tournament, Newton said he wouldn’t let the public or media dictate how he lives his life, or in this case, how he practices.

Asked if he would do it again, Newton said: “Do what again? Practice hard? Yes, I practice hard each and every day. I have no regrets of things that I’ve done.”

“It’s been whispered about franchise quarterback doing this and doing that. What’s the blueprint of a franchise quarterback? Leading your team,” Newton said. “I’m not going to let no one dictate how I play. I’m not going to let no one dictate how I feel.”

Panthers coaches and players also were ready to move on from the fight.

Tight end Greg Olsen scoffed at the notion that Newton risked getting injured in the fracas.

“He’s 260 pounds. He’s rushed for more yards and touchdowns than any quarterback in the NFL,” Olsen said. “He’s fine.”

Olsen said the media has always blown training camp fights out of proportion, saying they’re a product of practicing against the same guys for several weeks.

Newton essentially said the same thing.

“I think we’re making a big deal out of nothing. It’s no need for me to tell you guys what happened outside of we are better because of it,” Newton said.

This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 3:22 PM.