Why is Cam Newton on ‘Special Forces’? Former NFL QB competes in Season 3 of Fox reality show

If you miss your favorite former professional athletes, check out popular reality shows. Those programs make perfect stomping grounds for elite competitors of all stripes, and ex-pros often can have a leg up thanks to their elite conditioning and magnetic personalities.

We’ve seen athletes take center stage on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” in recent years. Fox’s “Special Forces” also attracts athletes to its ranks, although the military-inspired training show also carries a more intense regimen.

The third season of “Special Forces” features two former NFL players in the cast: former quarterback Cam Newton and former wide receiver Golden Tate. The latter is an intriguing inclusion. Since retiring from the league, Newton has had a successful podcast talking about the game of football, but he is more known for the outlandish outfits he wears during public appearances. 

Here is more on Newton’s appearance on “Special Forces” and details on how to watch the show.

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Why is Cam Newton on ‘Special Forces’?

Newton has not technically retired from the NFL, though the 35-year-old last played for the Panthers in 2021.

Most of his career was spent with Carolina, from 2011 to 2019, where he made his name as a dual-threat quarterback with a rocket for an arm. He won the league’s MVP Award in 2015.

After his tenure with the Panthers, Newton tried to keep his career going with the Patriots in 2020 before returning to Carolina in 2021. But he wasn’t the player he once was and struggled with his accuracy.

Newton hasn’t been in the league since then, but he has done plenty of podcast work and recently joined ESPN as a guest opposite Stephen A. Smith for “First Take.”

We don’t know exactly why the quarterback is competing on “Special Forces.” But you can bet he’s looking to show he can still accomplish impressive feats, one that take an incredible amount of mental and physical toughness. 

What is ‘Special Forces’?

“Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” is in its third season. It is a U.S. adaptation of “SAS: Who Dares Wins” from England.

The show follows celebrities and former athletes through rigorous training and scenarios that are tested in the Special Forces selection course.

Recruits are taken through hostile and unforgiving environments and are strongly tested mentally and physically. Contestants are not eliminated over the course of the show, though they can voluntarily withdraw at any time and can be medically withdrawn if needed.

They can also be disqualified, although that is usually up to the discretion of the Directing Staff (DS) instructors. The DS is made up of a former Marine, SBS operator, ex-SAS Sergeant Major and a veteran Navy SEAL.

The point is to see just how far the contestants can push themselves.

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‘Special Forces’ Season 3 cast

Season 3 began on Jan. 8 with a two-episode premiere. At the start of the season, there were 16 contestants, but even from the first episode, that number dropped with two withdrawals and a disqualification.

How to watch ‘Special Forces’

• TV channel: Fox
• Live Stream: Fubo

“Special Forces” will have a unique release structure. It will air on Fox, but there will be two episodes every Wednesday beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Season 3 has 10 episodes, with the finale on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

You can watch “Special Forces” and Fox as part of Fubo, which has the channel in its lineup. Fubo is also offering a free trial.