Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was making rounds during Super Bowl week on behalf on Gatorade, which seemed like a fun gig, but it was still tough for him not being able to get to the big game as a player.

"You play the game for one reason, and that's to win football games, win Super Bowls, championship," Newton says. "But I feel we're moving in the right direction. Our arrow is ascending in the green, and that's what you need to see."

Newton reached the playoffs for the first time in 2013, losing in the divisional round to the 49ers. This season Newton won his first playoff game, beating the Cardinals in a wild-card game, before losing at Seattle

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