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'Why not give back?': 'Newboy' Fegans donates $5,000 to former school

Justin Hokansonby: Justin Hokanson07/11/25_JHokanson
AnQuon Fegans (Photo by Auburn Athletics)
AnQuon Fegans (Photo by Auburn Athletics)

When AnQuon “Newboy” Fegans reached out to Thompson head football coach Mark Freeman recently and inquired about visiting his old team and saying a few words after practice, Freeman didn’t know what was in store.

Thompson players return to their school often, that’s nothing new. Freeman figured it was just Newboy coming back to speak encouragement during the heat of summer workouts.

“Guys come back all the time and just talk about upholding the standard, so I figured that was what it was,” Freeman told AuburnSports.

Fegans had more planned. After speaking for a minute, Fegans pulled out a $5,000 check made out to “Thompson Football” and delivered it to the team. The gesture surprised everybody.

“I’m just a guy that’s about giving back. I like to give back and giving back to my alma mater meant a lot to me,” Fegans told AuburnSports.

In this new world of NIL, there will be plenty of chances for student-athletes to take part in charitable acts. Fegans certainly wasn’t going to miss the opportunity.

“It’s something I always thought about,” Fegans said. “Now that I have the chance to do it, why not give back? That’s something that’s on my heart. I know how I feel for people to not give back, and I know that hurts some people. I want to be the person to change people’s lives.”

Fegans hands Thompson Football a $5,000 check.

Fegans’ mother, Tan, posted on social media: “My boy is so humble and sweet, he gave his high school a check today. We are so proud of you AnQuon Newboy Fegans, stay blessed son, love you.”

“He was shocked. He was telling me this is a special moment and you’re a special person in this program,” Fegans said of Freeman’s reaction.

As for Freeman, he simply could not gush enough over the caliber of person Fegans is, and while surprised in the moment, he expects nothing less from one of his favorite former players.

“Newboy is just a lovable guy. He’s like family to us. It touched everybody. It humbled my heart as a coach to see one of our guys that’s had success and come back and give,” Freeman said.

“Anybody that knows Newboy, it was a gift to his heart. He wanted to show he loved us and we appreciate him. He will remember people his whole life that helped him, that’s the kind of person he is. You can see where it’s important for his family to be a part of his heart and the giving back to us.

“It made me proud for Newboy. He didn’t have to do that. He could have done nothing. If you know Newboy, he’s deep. On a bad day, I’d go find him because he’s always smiling and he’s one of the most pleasant people I’ve been around in my life.”

Next up for Fegans is preseason camp. And the true freshman sounds more than ready.

“I’m overly ready,” Fegans said. “I’m ready for that grind and to compete, trying to be the best version of myself.”

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