“Being a villain and just being stupid”: Cam Newton thrashed Ja Morant for his controversial celebrations, deemed him reckless

Cam Newton isn’t holding back when it comes to his thoughts on Ja Morant’s recent antics on the court. The former NFL MVP recently shared his unfiltered opinion on Morant’s polarizing “grenade” celebration during an episode of his 4th&1 podcast—and he didn’t mince words.

Ja Morant has been in the spotlight not only for his athletic prowess but also for his controversial post-play gestures. Most recently, he drew heat for performing a grenade-throwing motion during games, following an earlier finger-gun celebration that earned him a $75,000 fine from the NBA.
Addressing Morant directly, Cam Newton said, "Whether you do it or not, Ja, people still going to respect you. And there's a difference between being a villain and just being stupid." He drew a parallel to the NFL’s ban on certain gestures like the “slime” celebration due to their potential gang-related connotations. "So that will not villainize you more, that's just stupid, you feel me… and I respect Ja, I respect everything he stands for, I love the way he plays."


Despite criticism, Morant seems unfazed. Ahead of a matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Memphis Grizzlies star made it clear he doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. "That's my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I'll find another one," he told reporters.
While Newton acknowledged that Morant has the money to deal with fines, he also implied that just because one can afford to take the heat doesn’t mean it’s worth the risk to reputation.

Newton’s criticism of Morant didn’t stop at the court. He revisited the player’s 2023 firearm controversies—instances where Morant was seen flashing guns during Instagram livestreams. Instead of placing all the blame on Morant, Newton turned the spotlight on his entourage.
"If you go to a restaurant bro, you ain’t never picked up the bill... It’s your job to protect the individual that’s supplying that,” Newton stated on another episode of Cam Newton’s Thoughts.
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Though Newton hasn’t returned to the NFL since 2022, his insights into athlete conduct and accountability continue to resonate—especially as young stars like Morant navigate fame, fortune, and the fine line between self-expression and self-destruction.