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Cam Newton joins exclusive club as Heisman winners to win NFL MVP

By Patrick Schmidt

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cam Newton went from Heisman winner to NFL MVP in five seasons to join an exclusive group that includes six Pro Football Hall of Famers.

Cam Newton is looking to make history when he leads the 17-1 Carolina Panthers into Super Bowl 50 against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos looking to cap one of the most dominant seasons by a player and by a team in NFL history.

Related Story: Cam Newton's 8 Best Moments at Auburn

Newton is no stranger to dominance with a Heisman Trophy in 2010 that saw the Auburn quarterback smash SEC records for total offense and touchdowns as the Tigers went undefeated and won the BCS National Championship vs. Chip Kelly’s Oregon Ducks.

The Heisman already puts Newton in an exclusive fraternity but adding the NFL MVP makes it an even smaller club.

Newton is the eighth Heisman winner to add an NFL MVP/Player of the Year and the first since Barry Sanders who was co-MVP with Brett Favre in 1997. Sanders won the Heisman at Oklahoma State in 1988 after setting the NCAA record for rushing and touchdowns.

1. Frank Sinkwich – Georgia/Detroit Lions

  • Heisman: 1942
  • Joe F. Carr Trophy (MVP): 1944

2. Paul Hornung – Notre Dame/Green Bay

  • Heisman: 1956
  • MVP: 1961

3. Roger Staubach – Navy Midshipmen

  • Heisman: 1963
  • Bert Bell Award (MVP): 1971

4. O.J. Simpson – USC/Buffalo

  • Heisman: 1968
  • MVP: 1973

5. Earl Campbell – Texas/Houston

  • Heisman: 1977
  • Pro Football Writers Association MVP: 1978,1979;
  • Bert Bell: 1979
  • Associated Press: 1979

6. Marcus Allen – USC/Los Angeles

  • Heisman: 1981
  • MVP: 1985

7. Barry Sanders – Oklahoma State/Detroit

  • Heisman: 1988
  • MVP: 1997

8. Cam Newton – Auburn/Carolina

  • Heisman: 2010
  • MVP: 2015

If Newton is able to lead Carolina to a win in Super Bowl 50 he will be the 10th Heisman winner with a Super Bowl ring out of 18 players and if he wins the MVP he will be the fifth Heisman winner to have a Super Bowl MVP.

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Newton can also join Marcus Allen in a club of Heisman winners with a college national championship, NFL MVP, Super Bowl and a Super Bowl MVP.

And he would be the first former No. 1 overall pick with those achievements.

Newton is on track to join the six most recent Heisman winners to win NFL MVP in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sinkwich is only in the College Football Hall of Fame after his NFL career was cut short due to injuries after four seasons.

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