Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton said he’s disappointed in himself for losing control of his emotions over the weekend at a 7-on-7 youth football tournament in Atlanta, resulting in a brief fight involving several men from competing teams.
A 22-second video surfaced on Sunday showing the 34-year-old Newton involved in an altercation with at least three other men outside of a school at the tournament. Newton did not throw any punches, and appeared to try to fend off some attackers.
The incident was quickly broken up by a policeman and security.
“I’m disappointed in myself for letting it escalate to what it did and that’s what I’m apologetic to,” Newton said Friday on his 4th and 1 podcast. “The truth of the matter is this: Me, being in my position, I should’ve never put myself in that position. That’s just the truth. That could’ve got ugly, for real.”
The 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player and long-time Carolina Panthers quarterback expressed remorse for his involvement in the Atlanta altercation, particularly apologizing to the children who admire him.
“I feel like I let them down,” Newton admitted. “Because I can’t preach about staying composed and then act differently myself. It’s important to always control your emotions.”
Newton, a native of Atlanta, leads the C1N football organization, established in 2021 to nurture young athletes’ football skills through competitive opportunities like 7-on-7 tournaments.
He frequently attends these tournaments nationwide to support his players and hosts events under the C1N brand.
Reflecting on the altercation, Newton explained that heated exchanges during a game between him and former members of his C1N organization escalated afterward.
“There was a lot of back-and-forth,” Newton recalled. “I won’t single anyone out. It’s not the first time it’s happened, but it should’ve stayed verbal.”
Newton acknowledged the incident could have escalated further, emphasizing, “There’s no excuse. It could have gotten worse.”
He also lamented that such incidents perpetuate negative stereotypes, expressing frustration at the assumption that conflicts are inevitable at events attended predominantly by Black people.
Newton, who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, acknowledged facing criticism throughout his career, including for pivotal moments like the Super Bowl 50 loss and losing his starting position to Mac Jones.
He hopes the incident serves as a lesson for young athletes and those who admire him, urging them to learn from his mistake.
“To every high school player, every person I’ve influenced, use my situation to understand that one decision can change everything,” Newton advised. “I let my emotions get the best of me.”