Cam Newton Claims No NFL Athlete Competes With His Community Impact

Cam Newton’s recent headlines may be focused more on fisticuffs, but his positive work in the community shouldn’t be ignored. He feels the same and took it a step further, claiming that no NFL athlete has impacted the community more than him.

“Name me another NFL athlete that impacted the community more than I did,” he told former NFL player Brandon Marshall in a clip and accompanying written interview published by Complex Sports. He listed current NFL stars and college athletes who have been bred through his 7-on-7 program TopShelf Performance, namely Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields, Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson, Pittsburgh Steelers’ George Pickens, Detroit Lions’ Cam Sutton, and Oregon Ducks’ Bo Nix. This prompted Marshall to ask why he hadn’t started an agency and Newton responded by reasserting his purpose.

“I don’t want nothing from the kids,” he said. “That’s the thing, like I’m putting them on game. I’ve spent time, money, effort, energy for them at 15, 16 years old. It’s like ‘This is how you’re supposed to do it when you get in my position.’ […] I’ve been doing this for 15 years now.” He revealed that he spent over $25,000 on his latest 7-on-7 tournament.

Cam Newton believes that his perception as a vocal, eccentric athlete has hindered people’s ability to recognize the value that he offers. “I never told somebody where to go to school,” he asserted. “I never told nobody where to sign an agent. But they try to make me out to be a bitter a** football player but not knowing like, bro, I’m really giving time, effort, and energy. These kids are staying at my house.”

Of course, the talk of the internet the last few days has been about the brawl that broke out at his latest tournament. Newton impressively kept his hat and outfit intact while fighting off multiple men.

One of the men spoke out after the fight and placed the blame on Newton, calling the quarterback’s actions “typical Cam behavior” after apologizing for his role in the altercation. “Just out of nowhere, [Cam was] talking crazy to us for no reason,” they said. “And as I’m walking up the steps, Cam’s in Steph face and he grabbed Steph.”

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