Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton flips into the end zone for a touchdown run in his team's NFL win over the Houston Texans last Sunday. Chuck Burton / AP / September 20, 2015
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton flips into the end zone for a touchdown run in his team's NFL win over the Houston Texans last Sunday. Chuck Burton / AP / September 20, 2015

Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton not about to have his legs taken out from under him



Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton expressed just one regret about somersaulting his way into the end zone against the Houston Texans last weekend.

“I just hate that I didn’t stick it,” Newton said of the landing.

Newton's frontward flip into the end zone over a Texans defensive back on a quarterback draw proved to be the go-ahead touchdown in Carolina's 24-17 win and quickly was trending on Twitter during the game. The NFL featured it as its best running play of the week.

It was vintage Newton – and more proof the fifth-year quarterback is healthier after battling through ankle, rib and back injuries that kept him out of two games last season and limited his mobility in others.

New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro, who’ll face the 6ft 5in (1.95m), 245-pound (111kg) Newton this Sunday in Charlotte, called the two-time pro bowler an “athletic freak”.

“A lot of quarterbacks don’t have the body to do that,” Vaccaro said. “He’s fearless, man.”

But a few Saints players, including Vaccaro, appeared to question why Newton would risk injury considering how valuable he is to the Panthers.

“I don’t know how much you want to do that when you’re paying the guy that much – if you want to do that with your franchise quarterback,” Vaccaro said. “But they’re effective with it so we’ll be ready for it.”

Saints outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha said he was impressed with Newton’s aerial acrobatics, but added: “Good for him that he thinks that’s a good thing to do. I don’t know that I would have the courage to do that, just because it’s a long season. But if you can do it, do it.”

Despite giving Newton a five-year, $103.8 million (Dh381.2m) contract extension earlier this off-season, coach Ron Rivera isn’t putting any restrictions on Newton’s running – at least for now.

While the fifth-year coach said that, like Newton, “my heart was in my socks” as he watched his quarterback go head over feet into the end zone high above the ground, he can’t help but appreciate the passion with which Newton plays the game.

And he doesn’t want to see that change.

“You don’t want to take away what makes him who he is,” Rivera said.

Newton acknowledges he was “honestly scared” at the peak of his leap, but was caught up in the moment at the time of the leap.

Although he wasn’t injured on the play, Newton knew immediately he’d be taking as much criticism for the play as he would praise for his athleticism.

But he’s given up on trying to win in the court of public opinion.

“I am in a lose-lose situation right here, fellas,” said Newton, whose 34 career touchdowns rushing are ninth all-time among quarterbacks. “If I were to run him over, and something were to happen, then it’s like, ‘God, you got to be more conscientious about how you run,’ and ‘Cam’s running too much’.”

The reality is the Panthers are a better team when Newton runs the football.

Carolina are 12-3-1 in five seasons when Newton carries at least 10 times in a game and 20-28 when he doesn’t, according to STATS. Similarly, the Panthers are 18-6-1 when Newton runs for at least 50 yards and 14-25 when he doesn’t.

Saints coach Sean Payton called Newton extremely athletic and competitive, two traits he treasures in a quarterback.

“He understands what it takes to win each week,” Payton said. “Sometimes that can vary but that is the one thing that you see in him. That was a pretty amazing play.”

Panthers centre Ryan Kalil was blocking for Newton on the play and didn’t see what happened. When he got to the sideline, a teammate told him “look up at the scoreboard – you won’t believe this”.

“I watched it and thought, one out of a hundred tries could I ever do anything like that,” Kalil said.

As for the other 99 tries?

“It wouldn’t have been good,” Kalil joked.

Newton said he had plenty of messages on his phone after the game but no more than usual.

He did briefly converse with his friend and NBA MVP Stephen Curry, who attended Sunday’s game. He said Curry told him the play was “cool”.

Newton has no intentions of relaxing on his aggressive approach to the game.

“The best is still yet to come,” Newton promised.

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SPECS

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Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

10. Reduce inequality  within and among countries

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

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Company profile

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Launch year: 2017

Number of employees: 90

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Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

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The biog

Favourite book: Men are from Mars Women are from Venus

Favourite travel destination: Ooty, a hill station in South India

Hobbies: Cooking. Biryani, pepper crab are her signature dishes

Favourite place in UAE: Marjan Island

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets