Former NFL Players Express Outrage Over Disrespect Towards Cam Newton in 7-on-7 Football Game Brawl
In a recent episode of their popular podcast, “Nightcap,” former NFL players Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson expressed their anger and disappointment over the “disrespect” shown towards Cam Newton during a brawl at a 7-on-7 football game in Atlanta. The incident, which took place on Sunday, has sparked a heated debate among fans and players alike.
Sharpe, a Hall of Fame tight end, didn’t hold back when discussing the incident. He criticized those who participated in the brawl, saying, “Y’all think that’s cute [to tell Newton he’s trash]. It’s not. It’s really embarrassing that somebody takes time out of their day… and try to give back and you’re disrespectful, ungrateful.”
Johnson, an All-Pro receiver, echoed Sharpe’s sentiments, stating, “Cam is way better than me because I don’t have patience for my own kids disrespecting me. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let somebody else’s kid disrespect me.”
The altercation, which was captured on social media videos, showed Newton, a former MVP quarterback with 11 NFL seasons under his belt, being outnumbered in the scuffle. The event was organized by We Ball Sports, an apparel and sports media company.
According to reports, Newton was approached by individuals associated with TopShelf Performance, a wide receiver training facility in Atlanta that also had youth teams participating in the event. The fight started near a We Ball Sports tent and eventually spilled over to a grassy area. Two of the men involved in the brawl were coaches for TopShelf Performance and had previously coached with Newton.
Newton’s C1N program was participating in the tournament, which included youth teams from Georgia and Alabama. Johnson expressed his disappointment at the lack of respect shown towards Newton during these types of events, saying, “When you have someone like Cam Newton giving players an opportunity to display themselves at these 7-on-7 camps, you’re supposed to be taking advantage of these situations. Many times I’ve seen players, coaches, and parents disrespect Cam Newton at these camps.”
Sharpe added to Johnson’s point, comparing Newton’s situation to that of Peyton and Eli Manning, who have been hosting a camp for over 20 years. He stated, “You ain’t never seen no kids being disrespectful to Peyton and Eli.”
Former NFL quarterback-turned-ESPN broadcaster Robert Griffin III also weighed in on the incident. In a series of posts on social media, Griffin expressed his frustration and condemned the disrespect shown towards Newton. He wrote, “Cam Newton nor anyone should ever be disrespected in this way. How can we rise, do better for our communities and change the narrative when we are attacking each other like this?”
The footage of the brawl showed individuals attempting to jump Newton, with one person landing a sucker punch to his face. Nehemiah Mitchell, the co-founder of We Ball Sports, confirmed that Newton and everyone involved in the altercation were removed from the tournament. Mitchell called it “an unfortunate situation.”
The trainers/coaches from TopShelf Performance, Stephon and TJ Brown, released a joint statement expressing their concern and condemning violence. They stated, “We are deeply concerned about the recent incident involving Cam Newton, and our thoughts are with all parties affected. Violence has no place in our community, and we strongly condemn any form of aggression.”
As of now, Newton has not publicly addressed the incident. It remains unclear if law enforcement will be further involved.
Newton, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Auburn, played 11 seasons for the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and was named the NFL MVP in 2015, leading the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance.
The incident at the 7-on-7 football game has sparked a larger conversation about respect and sportsmanship within the football community. It serves as a reminder that even professional athletes can face disrespect and aggression, highlighting the need for a change in behavior and attitudes both on and off the field.