CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers weighed in on the viral video of a scuffle involving Cam Newton at a 7-on-7 youth football tournament in Atlanta over the weekend, saying there should be more respect shown toward his former teammate.
Video surfaced Sunday showed Newton being attacked by multiple people at an event in Atlanta. The scuffle was eventually broken up by security. It's unclear exactly what prompted the incident, but Peppers said it doesn't matter.
"Pride, jealousy and clout are a terrible combination," Peppers posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. "Like him or not, Cam is a NFL legend and former MVP. Youth coaches and young football players should be excited to share the same field with the man not disrespecting him. We gotta do better than that."
Newton, who is from Atlanta, runs the C1N, an organization founded in 2021 that focuses on developing young athletes’ skills in football by providing opportunities to compete at the highest level through 7-on-7 tournaments and other events, according to Newton’s website. The website said the organization’s mission is to create an environment that fosters growth and development on and off the field, helping young athletes achieve their goals in football and life.
Newton’s 15-and-under team won the championship at the event.
Peppers, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2024 class, played alongside Newton with the Panthers in 2017 and 2018. The North Carolina native is the only player in NFL history to record at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions.
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