Panthers’ Newton happy to be alive after car crash

By STEVE REED ASSOCIATED PRESS

11 years ago

A Charlotte firefighter tends to Carolina Panthers NFL football quarterback Cam Newton following a two-vehicle crash not far from the team’s stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/The Charlotte Observer, Todd Sumlin)

This is a 2014, file photo showing Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. Newton has been taken to a hospital after being involved in an auto accident in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/File)

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer tends to Carolina Panthers NFL football quarterback Cam Newton following a two-vehicle crash not far from the team’s stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/The Charlotte Observer, Todd Sumlin)

This image made from video and released by WSOC-TV channel 9 in Charlotte, N.C., shows the vehicle Carolina Panthers Cam Newton was driving in Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, in Charlotte, N.C. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been taken to a hospital after being involved in an auto accident in Charlotte. A truck was overturned on the roadway with debris scattered all over the street. The Charlotte Observer reports Newton was driving the truck. (AP Photo/WSOC-TV channel 9)

A towing-operator works to upright the damaged truck driven by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton after the quarterback was involved in an accident, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, in Charlotte, N.C. Newton was taken to the hospital. It’s unclear how badly the 25-year-old he was injured. (AP Photo/Skip Foreman)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton is not worried about when he’ll return to the football field — he says he’s just happy to be alive.

The Panthers quarterback spoke to the media for about seven minutes Thursday, saying “as far as when I’m coming back, who cares? I’m just thankful to have breath in my lungs.”

Newton returned to the team’s facility two days after a two-car accident left him with two fractures in his lower back. He did not practice and his playing status will be reevaluated next week.

Derek Anderson will start Sunday against Tampa Bay. Newton will not play.

Newton says when he feels lucky to have survived, adding “I’m on somebody’s fantasy (football) league and I think it’s the man upstairs.”

Newton attended team meetings and began rehabilitation Thursday.