CHARLOTTE — Before Cam Newton was the No. 1 overall pick of the Panthers in 2011, he wore No. 2 for Auburn.
And now, no one else will put that one on for the Tigers.
Auburn announced this week that they were retiring the Heisman-winning and national-championship leading quarterback's number in October.
Newton joins Pat Sullivan (No. 7), Bo Jackson (No. 34), and Terry Beasley (No. 88) with retired jerseys there.
"Auburn will always be home to me," Newton said in a statement. "The national championship we won in 2010 was a special moment, and to have my jersey retired alongside legends like Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson, and Terry Beasley is an incredible honor that I'll cherish forever. War Eagle!"
Newton led the 2010 team to a 14-0 record and a championship, almost by force of will. He threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns, ran for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns, and, for good measure, added a receiving touchdown.
Also, the only other offensive player from that championship team to be drafted that year was seventh-round tackle Lee Ziemba (No. 244 overall, by the Panthers).
Current Panthers defensive tackle and former Auburn star Derrick Brown knows what it meant.
"It was awesome," Brown said. "You know Cam's one season, everybody says it's just one season, but man, it was a legendary one, especially one down on The Plains.
"I know how the school definitely has cherished the moments that he made and led the school to, so I'm ready to celebrate that with him."
Of course, Newton went on to win MVP honors for the Panthers during the magical 2015 season, when he led the team to a 15-1 record and a trip to Super Bowl 50.
October will be a big month for former Panthers legends honored by their alma maters, as general manager Dan Morgan is going into the University of Miami's Ring of Honor as well.
