Look: Carolina Panthers fans go all out with hat homage for Cam Newton

Carolina Panthers fans have gone all out with their own hat designs to mark Cam Newton’s first game back at Bank of America Stadium.

The wait is over.

Cam Newton will start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers this afternoon against the Washington Football Team.

It still sounds so surreal. Newton was brought back by the organization after Sam Darnold’s injury and terrible production, which was nothing short of astonishing and injected life into the organization from the moment the announcement was made.

Newton is a cultural icon across the Carolinas. Fans never stopped idolizing him even after his messy release, so having him back where he belongs could be the spark this team needs to reach the postseason.

The 2015 NFL MVP made a lasting impact from just nine plays at the Arizona Cardinals – contributing to two touchdowns – and Matt Rhule confirmed Newton would be the team’s starter this weekend on his first game back at Bank of America Stadium.

Home-field advantage has been seldom seen where the Panthers are concerned this season. Opposing fans have invaded the Bank plenty, which led Newton to issue his own rallying cry to the team’s fanbase to reclaim some pride back into the city of Charlotte.

Fans have made special hats in homage to Cam Newton.

A movement started by Jeremy Igo from the Carolina Huddle has gathered significant pace in recent days. It centers on fans creating their own hats in homage to Newton and his triumphant return.

The response has been overwhelming.

Fans have been posting their hat designs on social media throughout the week, which should only add to what is going to be an unbelievable occasion in Week 11 when Newton takes the field.

If nothing else, this shows how much Newton is loved and revered by those who’ve loved him since he entered the league as the No. 1 overall selection out of Auburn.

It’s going to be a special day. One that nobody in attendance will ever forget.

And the fact former head coach Ron Rivera is the adversary makes it even more special.

Newton is the sort of player that feeds off positive energy. Something he brings plenty of himself with unrivaled charisma and effort that has seldom been seen before or since.

Although Newton might not be the force of old in some respects, he still represents an upgrade on anything Carolina currently has and this is the strongest supporting cast of playmakers the signal-caller’s ever benefitted from.

Of course, for Newton and the Panthers, winning is all that matters.

If they can get themselves to 6-5 ahead of their trip to the Miami Dolphins it’s going to do their aspirations of postseason football the world of good.

The fans are ready to do their part. There is now hope again when all seemed lost after a concerning run of results that saw them lose five in six after a 3-0 start.

Newton is keen to make sure this is a collective effort. No one man can win a football game on their own.

But he’s shifted the course of this franchise with his mere presence. If this road to redemption results in a playoff spot over the next seven games, then expect Newton’s second coming in Carolina to be extended.