Former NFL MVP Cam Newton removed from youth football event after scuffle

A video surfaced on Sunday that appeared to show 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton involved in a scuffle at a 7-on-7 youth football tournament in Atlanta.

The 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 altercation lasted for around 30 seconds before it was broken up by a policeman and event security.

Newton, the No 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft, 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. It’s also uncertain what prompted the altercation.

Newton, who is from Atlanta, runs the C1N, an organization founded in 2021 which 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, which was run by We Ball Sports, an apparel and media company. We Ball Sports’ co-founder, Nehemiah Mitchell, told The Athletic that Newton was among a number of people removed from the event after the confrontation.

Attempts to reach Newton’s representatives on Sunday night were unsuccessful. The Athletic reported that Newton was confronted by two coaches from TopShelf Performance, which runs youth programs and is involved in training youth, college and professional wide receivers.

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“We are deeply concerned about the recent incident involving Cam Newton, and our thoughts are with all parties affected,” TopShelf Performance trainers/coaches Stephon and TJ Brown said in a statement to The Athletic. “Violence has no place in our community, and we strongly condemn any form of aggression.”

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. The 34-year-old 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.