Cam Newton, the former NFL quarterback, found himself embroiled in a tense altercation during a 7-on-7 football event in Atlanta this past weekend. A video capturing the incident, which shows Newton in a defensive scuffle with multiple individuals, quickly spread across the internet. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the ruckus took place at the B.E.S.T. Academy in Atlanta, where Newton's C1N team was competing in a football league that travels to tournaments nationwide.
The video posted online showed Newton initially under a pop-up tent before being shoved against a fence. The brawl then escalated as more parties joined in, with some attempting to land punches and others trying to break up the fight. While the catalyst for the confrontation remains unknown, the incident transpired during the “We Ball Sports” 7v7 tournament that was being held yesterday. According to a statement reported by the New York Post, the altercation included individuals from TopShelf Performance, another team participating in the event.
The recording, lasting approximately 22 seconds, depicted Newton managing to obtain a headlock on one of the assailants while contending with at least two others. The former Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots quarterback seemed to keep the situation under control until security, alongside a uniformed police officer, intervened. As this unfolded, a man in a white shirt sprinted in, attempting to deliver a punch, but it's uncertain if contact was made with Newton or another person in the melee.
Authorities, nor representatives for Newton, TopShelf Performance, or We Ball Sports, have yet to offer any official remarks regarding the viral incident. The altercation may have ties to an Instagram post shared by Newton and Steph Brown, the general manager of TopShelf Performance, but this has not been confirmed. TopShelf Performance is recognized for its national 18U 7-on-7 football program and its receiver training operations serving high school, college, and professional athletes, as noted by USA Today.
Newton, who was drafted first overall by the Panthers in 2011, spent a majority of his 11 seasons with the team, including a memorable 2015 MVP run and leading them to Super Bowl 50. He later joined the Patriots for the 2020 season. The event's location, a facility rented out by a third party, was secured by the Atlanta Police Department for the occasion, as confirmed by a spokesperson from Atlanta Public Schools to FOX 5 Atlanta. However, Atlanta police have declined to comment further at this time.
