For months, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel have been locked in a quarterback competition in Cleveland, pushing each other for the starting role. But once Shedeur Sanders officially landed the job, the conversation took a turn when Gabriel’s fiancée, Zo Caswell, made a comment suggesting Cleveland wouldn’t win with Shedeur under center.
That single remark lit up social media, and it caught the attention of Cam Newton, who didn’t hold back. Newton ripped Zo for inserting herself into a battle between two quarterbacks, saying there are rules people close to players should follow so they don’t create problems or negatively affect the one actually on the field.
His message was direct, sharp, and aimed at keeping the focus on the players, not outside voices.
Cam Newton Lays Out the Rules After Zo’s Comment About Shedeur Sanders
Cam Newton broke down exactly why Zo’s comment about Shedeur Sanders crossed a line, laying out a clear set of rules for anyone connected to a player. He started by addressing how partners and close friends should move when emotions run high during quarterback battles.
“Whether you’re the girlfriend or the best friend, I’m going to give you some rules to live by. That source has the opportunity to still play,” began Cam Newton, making it clear this wasn’t just about Zo, but about protecting the players involved.
He then shifted directly to the fallout following the viral moment involving Dillon Gabriel’s fiancée. “Rule number 1, do not make it about you because once you do that, you are opening up a crevice that you can’t even shut.”
Newton explained that when someone outside the locker room inserts themselves into a quarterback competition, the consequences hit the player, not the person speaking.
Next came the warning that caught everyone’s attention. “Rule number 2, don’t ever become a distraction,” added Cam Newton.
He emphasized the reasoning behind it, saying, “You do something that’s very alarming. It ain’t nothing that you can say oh… it’s gonna be back on that individual source.” Newton doubled down on the point: “What you do won’t impact you, it will impact the source in which you’re connected to.”
Cam went deeper into how outside voices can disrupt team chemistry. “It’s always gonna come back to your man’s cause… because really when you leave these facilities you’re having these conversations with somebody… pillow talk keep them pillows out of this locker-room.”
Then came the line that went viral. “Rule number 4, keep your mouth shut. Keep your thumbs to yourself,” Cam added, telling Zo to avoid tweeting or sending voice notes that could harm Dillon Gabriel down the line.
He didn’t end without acknowledging Gabriel’s character. “Dillon Gabriel is a great guy, but the world don’t know because their first interaction with him come by way of plus 1.”
And Newton wrapped it all up with advice Zo and anyone connected to a player should take seriously: “If you’re able to do that, keep the main thing the main thing, and you can show your support silently without your mouth, thumb, or pointed fingers, we’ll be good to go.”
Cam Newton didn’t just defend Shedeur Sanders. He reminded everyone that QB battles are decided on the field, not online. And in Cleveland, even one careless comment can shift the entire narrative overnight.