On Sunday, a video surfaced showing 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton involved in a scuffle during a 7-on-7 youth football tournament in Atlanta.
The video shows Newton, wearing one of his custom-made hats, being pushed by three people at the top of a staircase before pushing, shoving and grabbing towards a fence. The altercation lasted about 30 seconds before it was broken up by a police officer and event security.
Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft, doesn’t appear to throw a single punch in the video and appears to fend off three other men. One punch is thrown in Newton’s direction, but it is unclear if the punch landed on the former quarterback. It is also unclear what caused the argument.
Newton, an Atlanta native, leads the C1N, an organization founded in 2021 that focuses on developing the skills of young athletes in soccer by providing opportunities to compete at the highest level through 7-on-7 tournaments and other events, according to Newton’s website. . The website states that the organization’s mission is to create an environment that promotes growth and development on and off the field, helping young athletes achieve their goals in football and in life. C1N plays in tournaments throughout the country.
Newton’s 15 and under team won the championship at the event, which was organized by We Ball Sports, an apparel and media company. We Ball Sports co-founder Nehemiah Mitchell told The Athletic that Newton was among a number of people removed from the event after the confrontation.
Attempts to reach Newton’s representatives Sunday evening were unsuccessful. The Athletic reported that Newton was confronted by two coaches from TopShelf Performance, which runs youth programs and is involved in training youth, college and professional receivers.
after newsletter promotion
“We are deeply concerned about the recent incident involving Cam Newton, and our thoughts are with all parties involved,” TopShelf Performance trainers/coaches Stephon and TJ Brown said in a statement to The Athletic. “Violence has no place in our community, and we strongly condemn any form of aggression.”
Newton hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, when he spent part of the season with the Carolina Panthers, the same team that drafted him. The 34-year-old spent 11 seasons in the NFL, throwing for more than 32,000 yards and 194 touchdowns. He also ran for 75 TDs during his time with the Panthers and New England Patriots.