Cam Newton apologizes for brawl at youth football event in Atlanta: ‘Be better than me.’

ATLANTA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — After nearly one week of silence, former Carolina Panthers quarterback and now aspiring YouTuber Cam Newton publically apologized for his actions in a fight that happened at a 7-on-7 youth football tournament in Atlanta.

Newton addressed Sunday’s scuffle that was caught on camera and went viral this Friday on his latest 4th & 1 with Cam Newton episode on YouTube.

“To every single high school player, to every single person of influence, to every single athlete, use my situation as a way to understand that in one moment and one decision, your life can change. Just like that,” Newton said. “I let my emotions get the best of me. And it should not have been called for. Simple. And with that, I apologize to anybody affected. That’s Steph, that’s T.J., that’s their organization, that’s C1N, my organization, that’s my players, parents, my staff members…and when you really debrief from it days after it really puts things into perspective.”

Newton said too many people are betting on him to keep their lights on.

“Never mind me as a father…I think about the kids who look up to me, and also whether they verbalize their appreciation or just stare in amazement, I feel like I let them down,” Newton said.

Newton went on to state that you have to always stay in control of your emotions.

Newton said on Friday, “Don’t be like me, be better than me.”

The now-viral video shows Newton, wearing one of his custom-made hats, being shoved by three people near the top of a set of steps before the pushing, shoving, and grabbing moves toward a fence line.

The video lasts less than 30 seconds before the fight is broken up by a policeman and event security at the WeBall Sports x DynastyU 7v7 tournament at B.E.S.T. Academy.

Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in 2011 out of Auburn, does not appear to throw any punches in the video and appears to be fending off three other men. There is one punch thrown in Newton’s direction, but it is unclear if the punch landed on the former quarterback.

Newton, who is from Atlanta, runs the C1N, an organization founded in 2021 that focuses on developing young athletes’ skills in football by providing opportunities to compete at the highest level through 7-on-7 tournaments and other events, according to Newton’s website. The website said the organization’s mission is to create an environment that fosters growth and development on and off the field, helping young athletes achieve their goals in football and life.

C1N plays in tournaments across the country.

Newton’s 15-and-under team won the championship at the event.

Newton hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021 when he spent a portion of the season with the Carolina Panthers, the same team that drafted him.

Newton 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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