Like many with New Years resolutions, Cam Newton plans to cut back his spending this year.
The Patriots quarterback, whose iconic, sartorial eccentricity has become a permanent fixture over the last decade, admits he spent egregious amounts of money on single-use clothing.
“I’ve spent thousands and thousands of dollars – maybe even millions of dollars – on clothes that I only wore once,” Newton said in a video blog posted to his YouTube account. “So to be able to recycle the closet, so to speak, is something that’s challenging. But at the same time, it’s going to be fun to do so throughout this whole year.”
The former No. 1 overall pick has earned $122.53 million across ten seasons in the NFL according to Spotrac, and can likely afford frivolous spending on clothes. Despite his wealth, he plans to change his approach to shopping this year.
“One of my New Years resolutions is to not buy high fashion,” he said. “I want to be more of a thrift-store shopper. I want to be more of a vintage shopper. I want to be more of a person that finds gems in stores that are less expensive, and to still be able to give it its fine look, but I’m still myself.”
The 31-year-old has been known to push the limits of fashion by wearing outlandish statement pieces pregame and postgame. The outfits are are usually punctuated with some type of hat or head covering, which relates to Newton’s newest business venture.
“I went to LA to tap into a business that I spend a lot of time, energy, and creativity behind,” Newton said of his new collaboration with Meshika hats. “This is something that I’ve been adamant about for many years. Every time a person, they see me, they may see me with a top hat, a fedora or whatever. My love for hats goes deep into the Atlanta teen in me.”
The 2011 No. 1 overall pick is coming off of his first — and likely only — season as a member of the New England Patriots, whom he joined via a one-year veteran minimum deal following his release from the Panthers. He and the team are expected to part ways this offseason, leaving him once again to vie for a new contract in the quarterback free agency frenzy.
“This past year has been a very trying time for me in many different ways and I relied on the source of meditation to put me at ease,” Newton said. “The outlet of meditation as a driving force for many things in my life.”
This iteration of free agency will likely be more challenging for Newton, whose future in the NFL is uncertain coming off of a disappointing 2020 season. The three-time Pro Bowler and 2015 NFL MVP completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 2,657 yards, eight touchdowns, ten interceptions, and rushed for 592 yards and 12 touchdowns through 15 games as the Patriots’ starter. New England finished 7-9 – their first losing season since 2000 – and in third place in the AFC East ahead of only the hapless Jets.
