Lacey's Stewart cashes in with Carolina Panthers

Olympian news services • Published July 26, 2008

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Jonathan Stewart, a former star at Timberline High School in Lacey, signed a five-year contract that reportedly includes $10.8 million in guaranteed money and joined the Carolina Panthers in time for the team’s first training camp practice Saturday.

Stewart, a running back who was the 13th overall pick in the NFL draft in April, came to terms on the deal that could be worth up to $20 million hours after fellow first-round pick Jeff Otah, an offensive tackle, signed his contact late Friday. Both players were on the field for the team’s opening practice Saturday morning.

“It was incredibly important for Jonathan and everyone involved to have him there for camp in time,” said Stewart’s agent, Ben Dogra. “It’s an important year for him, as well as the team, being his rookie year. We’re all glad we were able to complete the deal.”

Stewart, who set Washington’s all-time high school rushing record before playing three season at the University of Oregon, is expected to compete for the starting running back job with last year’s backup, DeAngelo Williams. The Panthers released last year’s starter, DeShaun Foster, after struggling to find a consistent running game last season.

The 5-foot-10, 235-pound Stewart missed offseason workouts following toe surgery, but he passed his physical examination on Saturday and was cleared to practice.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Stewart’s last night before becoming a multimillionaire was spent at a Motel 6.

He drove from Charlotte, N.C., to Spartanburg on Friday night, anticipating that his contract would be finalized then. But along the way, he was informed that it was not done, and he wasn’t to report to training camp yet.

According to the Observer, when asked why he chose to spend the night at a Motel 6 and not more plush accommodations, Stewart smiled and said “because I didn’t have any money.”

The 6-6, 330-pound Otah, the 19th overall pick from Pittsburgh, is expected to start at right tackle as part of an overhaul of Carolina’s offensive line — five new starters are expected.

The deals mean the Panthers avoid a rookie holdout for a second straight year. First-round pick Jon Beason missed the first eight days of training camp last year in a dispute over how his bonus money would be distributed.

“There are no distractions, team-wise now,” general manager Marty Hurney said. “Everybody is signed, and it’s a good way to start training camp.”