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New England Patriots

Cam Newton reacts to viral video of spat with heckling teen

Matt Dolloff Matt Dolloff February 22nd
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 3, 2021: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets in the second half at Gillette Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Social media has rotted everyone’s brains, especially anyone whose brain was still developing the first time they picked up an iPhone. So it was entirely the most predictable moment in human history when a kid at a Cam Newton football camp was more concerned with making a viral video on TikTok than learning how to be a better player.

The original clip came out over the weekend, in which a heckling camper chirps to Newton “You’re a free agent” and “You’re about to be poor.” Newton responded by repeating “I’m rich,” and that’s all the kid wanted to show anyone. So predictably, a lot of people found it funny and celebrated the kid while criticizing Newton. Because two big hallmarks of teenage behavior – petulance and pettiness – are mainstream now.

Those people obviously have it backward. This kid was lucky enough to get into a football camp with a former MVP and Heisman winner who played in a Super Bowl and has a net worth of $75 million. He chose Internet clout over maybe trying to figure out how to get to Newton’s level. He will look back on this moment as a grown man and cringe.

Other current and former NFL players rightfully criticized the heckler and the generation, fair or not, that he represents.

Newton ultimately took the high road, posting a lengthy response on his Instagram page after the kid got his wish and the video went viral. You can see in the video that Newton tries to talk to the heckler before defusing the situation along with another coach.

His caption reads, in part: “People want to see me arguing with another young man and to see me ‘get in my Feelings’… but the TRUTH is this, I IMPACT KIDS’ LIVES IN A POSITIVE WAY, make NO MISTAKE about it, I allow kids to realize they’re OUT, by using their football talents to get them to the next level and in MOST cases…. OUT OF THE HOOD!!”

The kid isn’t doomed just because he decided to mouth off instead of listen and learn from an accomplished pro athlete. Hopefully he does learn to do the right thing next time he’s in this setting. But social media and smartphones have such a powerful effect on our minds, it could take a lot more than this one moment. Especially when the stupid video went viral in the first place.

MORE: The Patriots’ Top Internal Free Agents

  • G Joe Thuney

    Of all the Patriots' internal free agents, Thuney is the one who stands to make the most money. He played on a $14.7 million franchise tag and could make around that much on average with his next contract. The bright side is the Patriots have an emerging talent in Michael Onwenu, who played guard at Michigan, as a logical replacement for Thuney's departure. Belichick has a big decision here: lock up one of the best, most dependable left guards in football for big money, or go to the kid and take the compensatory pick next year.

  • C David Andrews

    One of the most consistent and dependable performers on the team during his career, Andrews rebounded nicely from missing the entire 2019 season to recover from blood clots. The Patriots have no logical internal replacement for everything that Andrews brings to his position and to the locker room. He may be in line for a raise on his next contract, but expect the Patriots to make a real push to retain him.

  • DT Lawrence Guy

    Bringing Guy back for 2021 is a no-brainer. He's been as consistent and dependable as anyone on the Patriots defense and won't come at a high cost. They could find a similar player to replace at least some of what he brings in free agency or the draft, but it may not be worth the risk when you know what you have with Guy.

  • DT Adam Butler

    Playing on an RFA tender in 2021, Butler logged four sacks, seven QB hits, and 38 total tackles in 15 games. He had a career-high six sacks and nine QB hits the year before. Butler has proven to be a solid interior pass-rusher for the Patriots and would make sense to retain on a low-cost extension.

  • QB Cam Newton

    Newton has to be on this list, because of the position he plays. The problem isn't so much how to replace Cam Newton, but whether or not he returns. There are whispers that it's possible he does. If not, the Patriots need a new quarterback, and preferably a significant upgrade over what Newton gave them on the field.

  • Nick Folk

    Bill Belichick isn’t afraid to use the franchise tag on a kicker. In fact, he tagged Adam Vinatieri twice - once in 2002 and the other in 2005. In an offseason with weak kicker classes in both free agency and the draft, bringing back the 36-year-old Folk may be the Patriots’ best option. The only potential downside is the contract is fully guaranteed, so if Justin Rohrwasser turns things around in camp, it would lead to the difficult decision of eating the whole contract, moving on from the young kicker, or keeping two kickers on the roster. (Projected K franchise tag: $4.7 million)

  • RB James White

    Is it possible White doesn't sign with the Bucs? Perhaps he feels settled in New England and doesn't want to uproot that situation. But if Damien Harris is ready to take on a bigger role in the passing game? It's possible that White's days as the go-to guy in those situations are winding down.

  • WR Damiere Byrd

    Byrd likely can't get much more than he did last season from the Patriots. But if he can find a nice long-term deal after leading all Pats receivers in snaps and posting career-highs in catches and yards, more power to him. If Byrd has more of a complementary role in the passing game instead of playing every snap, he'd be a welcome return. He works well for what he is.

  • DE Deatrich Wise

    It's not Wise's fault that the Patriots have tried to shoehorn him into roles that don't play to his strengths. He was better suited when the Patriots played more of a 4-3 defense up front and would still be better off in that kind of system. But he's also been a good solider throughout his time with the Patriots and can make plays as a pass-rusher. It's simply a question of where he fits at this point.

  • CB J.C. Jackson

    Jackson is a restricted free agent, so it's not the same situation as most free agents on the team. But after making a career-high nine interceptions in 2020, he'll be in line for a real contract at some point. Do the Patriots want to give him an extension now, or sign him to the tender and see how it goes for the next year.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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