Cam Newton turned his college career around after flaming out at the University of Florida and avoiding expulsion.  Transferring to small Blinn College, Newton started that season (2009) and led the school to a NJCAA National Championship.  Newton then joined Auburn and put forth one of the best seasons in Tigers history.  He dominated as a passer and runner and led Auburn to a BCS Championship and won the Heisman.  NFL teams were gushing over his ability, and the Carolina Panthers, who held the number one pick, grabbed him.

Newton looked like a potential Hall of Fame inductee for the first five years of his career. He swept all the Offensive Rookie of the Year Awards and threw for over 4,000 Yards, which was his career-high.  Though his 21-17 TD-INT ratio was pedestrian, he more than made up for it with 14 TDs on the ground. This was his first Pro Bowl year.

After a solid sophomore season, Newton went to his second Pro Bowl in 2013 and took Carolina to the Playoffs.  He (and the team) struggled in 2014, as Newton battled injuries, but in 2015, Newton had the pro season of his life.  He earned the “Superman” nickname, going 15-1, with 3,837 Passing Yards and a league-leading TD-INT ratio of 7.1 (35-10) and rushed for another 10 Touchdowns.  Newton won the MVP but had the ultimate prize ahead of him; Super Bowl 50.

Newton and the Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos 24-10, and Newton did not have a good game, throwing an Interceptions and fumbling twice.  The second fumble, which was in the fourth quarter, was the second time that Denver’s Von Miller got to him, and these events happen to every great QB.  Newton was destroyed in public perception because of his perceived lack of effort in not diving to recover the ball and how he walked away from the postgame press conference.  Sadly, this is what he is mainly known for.

In the years that followed, Newton’s large frame began to accumulate injuries. After a rotator cuff injury in 2017, it was clear that he was not the same thrower, though his legs were still powerful. Newton’s passing numbers continued to decrease, and his season was shut down after 14 Games due to more shoulder problems in 2018. He only played in two Games in 2019 from a foot injury.  Newton was given permission to seek a trade, but when suitors came, he was released.  He signed with New England for 2020, where he was their starter.  Newton rushed for 12 TDs but only threw for 8.  He was released the following season during training camp and signed again with Carolina but lost all five starts.  That was the end of Cam Newton’s playing career.

Newton compiled overall numbers of 32,382 Yards, and194 Touchdown Passes, with 5,628 Rushing Yards and 75 Touchdowns.  That last number is the key to any Hall of Fame shot, as those TDs on the ground is better than many HOF Running Backs.

Byron Jones, originally from New Britain, Connecticut, was a versatile defensive back who played multiple positions for UConn, before being selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. During his time in Dallas, Jones excelled at cornerback, earning Second Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection in 2018. After five years with the Cowboys, he spent two seasons with the Miami Dolphins before retiring with a total of 444 combined tackles, four interceptions, and five forced fumbles.

Bernardrick McKinney was a standout college football player at Mississippi State and was named an All-SEC Selection. He played as a linebacker in the NFL and spent almost all of his career with the Houston Texans, except for his final year when he played for the New York Giants.

McKinney was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft and quickly earned the starting role as an Inside Linebacker. He had his best season in his second year, recording career-highs in Combined Tackles (129), Sacks (5.0), and Quarterback Hits (11), which led to his selection as a Second Team All-Pro.

McKinney was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018 and had two consecutive seasons of breaking the 100 Tackle mark. Unfortunately, in 2020, he suffered a shoulder injury and only played four games for the Texans before being released. McKinney finished his career with 559 Combined Tackles.

Oh boy.

There is a lot to discuss when examining the career of Antonio Brown, the dynamic wide receiver. For the most part, throughout his career, there were no red flags. In fact, he was arguably the best wide receiver of the decade.

Brown was a two-time All-American from Central Michigan and proved to be a great pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him 195th overall. He was used sparingly in his rookie year, but broke out with 1,108 receiving yards as a sophomore. Brown was considered an elite player from 2013 to 2019, with his expert route-running skills and ability to cut on a dime. He made the Pro Bowl in every season, including a four-year streak (2014-17) of First Team All-Pros. He twice led the NFL in receiving yards (2014 & 2017) with two second-place finishes, and was also at the top of the Receiving Touchdowns standings in 2018. Brown finished the decade with the most yards of any wide receiver and easily made the All-Decade Team.

Despite his success, Brown never won a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh. Late in the 2018 season, he and his quarterback had a falling out, and he asked for a trade, which he received, with Oakland as his landing spot. This began his dramatic downfall.

Brown never played for Oakland, as he missed most of training camp due to blistered feet from cryotherapy and later over not being able to wear his old helmet. He had an altercation with his GM and asked to be released, which he was, hours before his money was to be guaranteed. Brown later signed with New England and was also dealing with sexual misconduct claims, but that stay lasted only one game. He was then picked up by Tom Brady and Tampa Bay, where he finally won a Super Bowl. However, a year later, he ran off the field during a game after refusing to go in for a play. Brown continued to make headlines, but always for the wrong reasons.

If Brown had retired after leaving Pittsburgh, he might have been a lock as a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Regardless, his legacy is what it is, and we have no idea what will happen next!