Cam Newton was one of the most-talked about NFL players over the weekend.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t for his next move in free agency or charitable work in the community. Newton hosted a camp for young players and he dealt with a heckler that persistently trash-talked the 31-year-old. The unnamed kid repeatedly took shots at Newton’s ability on the field, while saying he was going to be poor.
Newton initially reacted to the kid and fed into the trash-talk, but he eventually tried to calm the situation down and have a real discussion. Regardless of the tough season Newton had in 2020 — he’s still a former MVP and Super Bowl quarterback who doesn’t need to be at the camp.
The NFL community quickly came together and strongly advocated on Newton’s behalf.
Cam was a 5 star recruit out of high school. Won the Heisman. Was the #1 pick in the Draft. A NFL MVP. These kids in this generation don’t understand.Most of these kids will never have the success @CameronNewton has had they better soak up game I know I would. @bigplay24slay https://t.co/Ovs0JFZO08
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) February 21, 2021
Man I wish I had NFL players at my 7 on 7. Let alone a player as elite as Cam Newton. Reality check, You got a guy who has reached every mile stone that we dreamed of as kids. You supposed to be picking his brain, being a sponge. Not a annoying fly that caused no damage to him https://t.co/b1gENqCCPr
— Marquez V-S (@MVS__11) February 21, 2021
We built an entire culture based on disrespect (gangsta rap and battle rap) and materialism (the bag) and we're feigning shock a kid would disrespect Cam Newton and Cam would respond by shouting "I'm rich." It's a mirror of what we've constructed. We don't value self-respect.
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) February 21, 2021
Any young athlete watching this video please don’t be this kid, Don’t miss your chance to learn something from someone who has been their at the highest level in this sport…. STAY HUMBLE https://t.co/BCmGPK8w1W
— 7⃣ Leonard Fournette (@_fournette) February 21, 2021
Cam a better man than me
— Kyle (@Ky1eLong) February 21, 2021
lil boy was talkin CRAZY… def should’ve got kicked out the camp … https://t.co/IXYC1a8itg
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) February 21, 2021
Cam you should have sent his ass home https://t.co/SJkUMUMnl5
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) February 21, 2021
It blows my mind cause im sure that kid wants to be a Heisman trophy winner or a draft pick an Cam did both!!
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) February 21, 2021
He tried to be funny in front of his friends instead of asking a great like Cam, how to overcome adversity and be an MVP of a league that you have 1% chance of making. Smh.
AT AN EVENT HE DOESNT HAVE TO BE AT..to support yall..? https://t.co/RNcBEyyccz
— Justin Simmons (@jsimms1119) February 21, 2021
This shit isn’t funny. It’s straight up disrespectful to Cam who does a whole lot for the community. https://t.co/yDnTRzfLIc
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) February 22, 2021
The inevitable byproduct of the shitty way we allow ourselves to treat each other on social media combined w/ a view of athletes as commodities to be traded and dealt dispassionately. Agree with my brother @TraiDay79 that this is disrespectful & not funny. We can all do better. https://t.co/gHEJLawZaz
— Jason Wright (@whoisjwright) February 22, 2021
Newton’s future with the New England Patriots is unclear, but a return to the team isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
