ESPN Suspends Cam Newton Indefinitely Amid “Boycott” Calls for Disrespectful Comments About QB Philip Rivers of Indianapolis Colts Live on Air
February 3, 2026 – ESPN has officially decided to suspend analyst Cam Newton indefinitely following controversial comments about Philip Rivers, quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. The remarks, made live on a sports podcast, quickly crossed the line of professional debate and sparked widespread backlash from fans and experts across the NFL.

Newton strongly criticized Philip Rivers' return to the NFL at the end of the 2025 season, claiming that his participation with the Colts was the main reason the team failed to make the playoffs. Newton said: “The fact that Philip Rivers came back is the main reason the Colts couldn’t make the playoffs – he’s a has-been.”

Philip Rivers returned to the NFL under special circumstances. After retiring in 2021, he was called back by the Colts during the final stretch of the 2025 season when the team lacked a stable quarterback. However, Rivers was unable to regain his peak form and showed inconsistent play. In crucial games, he only completed 60% of his passes, threw 2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, a very low rate for a veteran quarterback like Rivers.
Notably, in the loss to the Houston Texans, Rivers threw 2 interceptions in the 4th quarter, causing the Colts to fail to recover, even though they had a chance to win. In the three games Rivers played at the end of the season, the Colts only won 1 game, and those losses resulted in the team missing the playoffs.
The frustration from Colts fans was completely understandable. Despite Rivers’ experience, no one expected his return to lead to failure. Many fans criticized Rivers for not living up to expectations, and his return only added more pressure to the team, rather than helping them move forward.

Under mounting pressure, ESPN decided to suspend Cam Newton indefinitely to review his comments. In an official statement, ESPN leadership emphasized that while they encourage open discussions, all analyses must be based on respect and fairness, stressing that commentary should not cross into personal attacks on athletes.
Meanwhile, Philip Rivers, despite the criticism from Newton, has remained silent and not responded publicly. He continues to focus on preparing for the future, with the possibility that the Colts will seek a new quarterback for the upcoming season.













