Cam Newton has apologized for his involvement in a physical altercation at a 7-on-7 youth football tournament, stating in part, that he “let my emotions get the best of me.”
In a video posted Thursday on the YouTube channel for his “4th&1” program, the veteran NFL quarterback apologized to “anybody affected” by recent events in Atlanta, which went viral last weekend.
“It should not have been called for. Simple. And with that, I apologize to anybody affected,” said Newton, referencing players, parents and staffers, according to ESPN.
Footage of Newton fending off individuals at the tournament emerged on social media Sunday, with several men appearing to push the former Panthers quarterback, whose “C1N” team was participating in the event.
Authorities noted in a police report that it is unclear what fueled the scuffle and that no one involved wanted to pursue criminal charges.
Newton said he felt remorse for letting down those who look up to him.
“I can’t sit up there and say, ‘Hey, bro, you got to be bigger than that,’ and then all of a sudden I do that and that just goes to show you you’ve got to always stay in control of your emotions,” Newton said, per ESPN.
“… There’s no excuse, It’s really not.”
The former first overall pick in 2011, Newton spent much of his career with the Panthers, reaching the Super Bowl with the team at the end of the 2015 season.
He was released by the team in March 2020 and signed with the Patriots months later.
Newton played for one season in New England before being released in August 2021. He then re-joined the Panthers in November of that year.
Newton’s “C1N” organization focuses on fostering “an environment that fosters growth and development on and off the field, helping young athletes achieve their goals in football and life,” per the program’s official website.