Cam Newton Apologizes For Role In Viral Scuffle

In Newton’s apology, he implored the kids who look up to him to use his situation as a learning experience.

Cam Newton apologized for his role in a viral fight on his YouTube channel 4th&1. Newton apologized to players, parents, and staff members in the hourlong video. “I apologize to anybody affected. That’s Steph, that’s TJ, that’s their organization, that’s C1N, — my organization — my players, my parents, my staff members.”

As The Athletic reported, Steph and TJ are Stephen and T.J. Brown, coaches and trainers at TopShelf Performance, which issued a statement: “The entire incident is profoundly disheartening. We aspire to serve as exemplars both on and off the field, dedicated to cultivating a community that prioritizes the safety of our athletes and their families. Our objective is to nurture individuals of strong moral character. We acknowledge our responsibility for the consequences of our actions and for allowing the provocation to lead us to behave in a manner inconsistent with our usual character.”

Like TopShelf, Newton’s apology also contained regret for allowing provocation to pull him out of his character.

“There was a lot of talking on both sides — on all sides, let’s just put it like that,” Newton said. “I don’t want to point the finger and say this person said that or that person said that. Am I saying this is the first time it happened or the last time it happened? It’s something that starts with words and should’ve ended with words.”

The fight occurred at an event organized by We Ball Sports, an apparel and sports media company. The event brought together under-15 and under-18 7-on-7 football teams from Georgia and Alabama to compete against each other.

In Newton’s apology, he implored the kids who look up to him to use his situation as a learning experience.

“To every single high school player, to every single person I’ve influenced, to every single athlete, use my situation as a way to understand that in one moment, in one decision, your life can change, just like that.” Newton snapped his fingers as he uttered the last word of his sentence for emphasis.

Newton continued, “I think about the kids that look up to me, and whether they verbalize their appreciation or just stare in amazement, I feel like I let them down. Because I can’t sit up here and say, ‘Hey bro, you gotta be bigger than that’ and then all of a sudden I do that. That just goes to show you, you gotta always stay in control of your emotions.”

As the Associated Press reported, Newton also regrets the role that the fight may have played in perpetuating negative stereotypes about Black people.

“It’s echoing something that has been permeating for years — Black people,” Newton said. “Why do I got to be at a Black event, you know what I’m saying? And I could easily play the victim, and I’m not going to do that. I’m going to hold myself to that same standard.”