Cam Newton: Star NFL quarterback injured in car crash

CAROLINA Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was injured in a car accident overnight according to a report by the Charlotte Observer.

FILE - DECEMBER 9: According to reports, Cam Newton was injured in a two-car accident on Church Street bridge, December 9, 2014 in Charlotte, NC. NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers warms up before the start of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 7, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

CAM Newton, one of the NFL’s biggest stars, was taken to a hospital Tuesday after being involved in a two-vehicle crash not far from his team’s stadium.

Television footage showed Newton on a stretcher being placed in an ambulance.

It was unclear how badly the 25-year-old Carolina Panther was injured, but photos from the Charlotte Observer showed Newton smiling as he was attended to by an officer on the ground. Newton, who plays the pivotal quarterback position, is one of the National Football League’s most celebrated young stars.

The Carolina Panthers said he is in fair condition at Carolinas Medical Center where he will remain overnight for observation.

#BREAKING: @WBTV_News is working to get more answers on the wreck involving Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. pic.twitter.com/FJ6uidwXIC

— Amanda Bazemore (@AmandaBazemore) December 9, 2014

Tow truck just turned over Newton's vehicle pic.twitter.com/N8CKJs94jw

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) December 9, 2014

A black pickup truck that police Newton was driving was overturned on the roadway with debris scattered all over the street. The roof of the truck was caved in. Another car that appeared to be involved in the crash had front end damage.

The police were investigating how the crash happened on a bridge that crosses a busy highway in the shadow of Bank of America Stadium, where the Panthers play.

Praying for my bro Cam! 🙏 Hope he's ok

— Mike Vick (@MikeVick) December 9, 2014

Praying for you Cam that you heal up quickly boss!

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) December 9, 2014

Prayers are going out to Cam Newton hoping and praying everything is good 🙏🙏 nfl brothers

— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) December 9, 2014

Newton shot to stardom as a college player, leading the Auburn Tigers to a national championship and winning national player of the year honors.

As word of the accident spread online, NFL players started sending good wishes on social media.

This image made from video and released by WSOC-TV channel 9 in Charlotte, shows the vehicle Carolina Panthers Cam Newton was driving.

A towing-operator works to upright the damaged truck driven by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

Newton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL amateur draft and was inserted in as Carolina’s quarterback right away. He has only missed one game this season. Newton has one year left on his rookie contract after the Panthers picked up a $15 million option for 2015.

The Panthers have repeatedly said Newton is a player they view as their franchise quarterback moving forward. But it has been a rough year for him.

After the Panthers fell at home to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional playoffs in January, Newton had ankle surgery in March that sidelined him for all but one of the team’s spring practices.

He returned for the start of the training camp, but then suffered another setback when he fractured his ribs during a preseason game against the New England Patriots.

The injuries forced Newton to miss Carolina’s season opener. He had said he’s not been close to 100 percent all season.

Originally published as Cam Newton: Star NFL quarterback injured in car crash