Top Shelf Performance issues statement after 7-on-7 fight involving Cam Newton
The youth football organization that was involved in a fight with former NFL quarterback Cam Newton over the weekend has issued a statement regarding the incident. TopShelf Performance, also known as TSP, shared the length statement on Monday morning, explaining the context of the scuffle and apologizing for the lapse in “professionalism and integrity.”
Newton was filmed fending off several people in a heated skirmish at a 7-on-7 tournament in his home city of Atlanta. The former Panthers star has yet to address the incident personally.
“We are actively addressing this matter internally and working towards a resolution that aligns with our commitment to creating a positive space for our team and clients,” TSP’s statement reads. “We appreciate your understanding and want to reassure our community that something like this will never happen again. We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity and will continue to help and grow with the players in the community.”
TSP claims Newton initiated physical contact in fight
The statement continues on, explaining how multiple members of the TSP coaching staff used to work for Newton’s 7-on-7 organization. After “tensions rose,” two coaches departed to start their own team. According to their version of the events on Saturday, Newton “taunted” TSP athletes during a game and afterward, he grabbed one of his former coaches, Steph, and “tried to choke him.” They then claim that the other coach, TJ, jumped in with a punch, which escalated the situation.
The statement claims that only the two coaches, Steph and TJ, of TSP were involved in the fight while Newton, and an athlete from one of his teams, fought. They allege that the minor from Newton’s team landed a punch on TJ before the Atlanta Police broke it up. TSP says the police asked the former NFL quarterback to leave the field.
Newton has been involved in the youth football community for a long time. In 2011, he started C1N, an organization that focuses on “developing young athletes’ skills in football by providing opportunities to compete at the highest level through 7v7 tournaments and other events.” The team participates in five annual 7-on-7 tournaments.
Cam Newton says there’s one NFL team he’d play for
Newton hasn’t graced an NFL field since his brief comeback stint with the Carolina Panthers in 2021, but that hasn’t stopped the former league MVP from showing interest in a return to playing on Sundays.
Newton said he had a lot of interest in a comeback in November of last year but had not received any calls from any of the league’s 32 teams, even participating in Auburn‘s Pro Day in March last year.
But he seems to have had a change of heart recently, with former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall asking him on ‘Good Morning Football’ what the top three teams he’d want to play for would be. He shared that only one NFL franchise would pique his interest at this point of his career.
“It’s not even three, it’s just really one,” Newton said. “Me having a family now, it’s always been about family, and I don’t see myself leaving Atlanta. So if it’s not Atlanta I don’t want to do it.”
Following a decorated college and professional career, Newton returned to Atlanta where he’s currently raising his four children. He also opened up a cigar bar and restaurant named Fellaship in the city.
On3’s Kaiden Smith contributed to this report.