Cam Newton, the top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, has apologized for his role in the viral confusion that broke out several days ago during a 7-on-7 youth football tournament.
The former NFL star quarterback explained that he had lost control of his emotions, something he acknowledged was unacceptable.
“I'm disappointed in myself for letting this get to what it did and for that I apologize,” Newton said Friday during the latest edition of his “4th and 1” podcast. “The truth of the matter is this: I, being in my position, should never have put myself in that position. That's the truth. That could have gotten ugly, really.”
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A 22-second video that surfaced Sunday showed Newton being pushed, shoved and grabbed by three people near some steps. Finally police and security agents intervened.
“It shouldn't have been called. Simple. And with that, I apologize to everyone affected,” Newton said, while extending his apologies to the event organizers, players and parents.
Cam Newton is seen during Fan Controlled Football Season v2.0, Week Three, on April 30, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Brett Davis/Fan Controlled Football/Getty Images)
Newton did not appear to throw any punches in the video and appeared to be fending off people.
While it is unclear what started the altercation, Newton acknowledged that the trash talk during the game between him and former members of his C1N organization had spilled over off the football field.
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“There was a lot of talk on both sides – everywhere, let's put it that way,” Newton said. “I don't want to point fingers and say this person said that or that person said that. Am I saying this is the first time it happened or the last time it happened? It's something that starts with words and should have ended with words.”
Former NFL and Auburn quarterback Cam Newton warms up during the Auburn Pro Day, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Auburn, Alabama. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Newton said he's glad the incident didn't escalate.
“There's really no excuse,” Newton said. “It could have been a riot. More violence could have come from that. It's just not necessary.”
Two of the men involved in the altercation, coaches TJ and Steph Brown, said Newton's actions over the weekend ultimately led to the physical skirmish that began when he grabbed Steph first before TJ threw a punch.
Cam Newton at Michael Rubin's Fanatics Super Bowl Party held at Marquee Dayclub Las Vegas at The Cosmopolitan on February 10, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
“It should never have come to that,” TJ told Fox News Digital on Monday.
An Atlanta native, Newton leads the C1N soccer organization, which was founded in 2021 and focuses on developing the skills of young athletes in soccer by providing them with opportunities to compete at the highest level through 7-on-7 tournaments and other events. .
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After a nine-year career with the Carolina Panthers, Newton joined the New England Patriots in 2020 and returned to Carolina in 2021. He finished his NFL career with over 32,000 passing yards, 194 touchdown passes, and 75 rushing touchdowns. . Newton was named league MVP in 2015.
Scott Thompson of Fox News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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