Cam Newton tried to clear the air in a video that showed him getting into a heated argument with a young man at a football camp that went viral over the weekend.
The camp participant seemed to be pestering the quarterback about him becoming a “free agent”, while Newton did not improve things when he replied, “I am rich”. Newton was also heard asking if he could speak to the child’s father.
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The New England Patriots quarterback released a video and a long Instagram post for critics.
“What you didn’t see,” he wrote on social media. “I see that there are a lot of things rotting out there, that I see that happened over the weekend. For the natural eye, you see me asking the young man, ‘Where is your father?’ But for me, talking to a child with everyone watching is not good for me! So, instead of talking or going around with a child, I wanted to have a man-to-man conversation with his father.
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“With that said, when I participate in tournaments across the country with my All-Star team, I dedicate my time, my energy and my experience to these children who have come to our program for over 11 years and that is not what people I want to hear or even want to see. People want to see me arguing with another guy and see me “get in on the action.” But the truth is, I influence children’s lives in a positive way. Make no mistake. I allow children to realize that there is a “way out” using their football talents to take them to the next level and, in most cases, out of the hood!
“So, with that said, have an amazing rest of your day.”
In the video, Newton told the camper that “there was no disrespect” and that if he wanted attention, he would pay attention “in the right way”.
WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE
Newton is set to be a free agent in 2021, after a difficult year with the Patriots. He completed 65.8% of his passes for 2,657 yards with eight touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.
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Newton scored 12 points on the field for the Patriots, who finished with a 7-9 record and lost the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.