Former NFL MVP Cam Newton was caught up in a skirmish this past Sunday while attending a 7-on-7 youth football tournament in Atlanta, an incident captured on video causing quite the stir.
Newton, distinguished by one of his signature hats, was shoved by several individuals at the event hosted by We Ball Sports x DynastyU 7v7 at B.E.S.T. Academy. The confrontation, which started near the steps of the venue, quickly escalated to a barrier before being quelled by a police officer and event security staff within roughly 30 seconds.
The number one overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft from Auburn, Newton was seen primarily in a defensive position throughout the altercation, not engaging with punches, although a solitary strike was aimed his way with unclear contact.
The Athletic reported that the individuals from TopShelf Performance—a wide receiver training program based in Atlanta—had a confrontation with Newton. Amid the aggression, Newton can be seen grasping one participant and pulling him away, with the altercation nonetheless continuing until law enforcement and security intervened.
The cause of the dispute seems rooted in a relationship between Newton and the TopShelf Performance coaches, identified as Stephon and TJ Brown, who had previously coached alongside the quarterback within the elite 7-on-7 circuit.
Both participants in the brawl with Newton and their teams were promptly ejected from the tournament, as confirmed by We Ball Sports co-founder Nehemiah Mitchell, also a former Vanderbilt football player.
Mitchell described the confrontation as “an unfortunate situation.”
In their response to the incident, Stephon and TJ Brown expressed their grave concerns, stating to The Athletic, “Violence has no place in our community, and we strongly condemn any form of aggression.” They continued by addressing the seriousness with which the matter is being taken internally at TopShelf Performance.
