In one moment, Cam Newton was jumping in the air and chest bumping a Charlotte Catholic defender following an interception. “Only one coach on the field,” said Newton, almost immediately following his celebration, before two high school football coaches retreated to their sideline. Then he turned to two of his Cam Newton Foundation staff members and began a freestyle rap to the tune of Jay Z’s “On to the Next One.” Here was Newton, the 24-year-old franchise quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, leading his 7-on-7 competition, comprising 16 area high schools. He danced, he ran routes in warm ups, he convened with officials and he danced some more. “When I got the chance to lead, I just want to give back, and especially show my face,” Newton said Friday afternoon at Hough High. “I want people to know this is my event, and I want people to know that I’m out here from start to end. “If someone gets an interception or throws a touchdown I’m asking for some dap, I’m asking for some five, I’m asking for a chest bump.” Entering Year 3 in the NFL, Newton, the former Offensive Rookie of the Year whose play promised to transform the quarterback position forever, still doesn’t have a captain’s patch on his No. 1 jersey. There are still constant questions about his maturity and doubts about his ability to lead a group of 52 other men both on and off the field. Commanding the attention of nearly 300 high school football players isn’t the same as owning an NFL locker room, and Newton knows that. But there’s still a common leadership tie in both instances. “It’s all about accountability,” Newton said. “God has blessed me with unbelievable influence not just with this community but people I don’t meet, and I know that. Whether it’s giving a person a handshake or taking a picture or showing my face at a high school game, it’s all about appearance and holding myself accountable and (being) available - See more at: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/28/4135752/panthers-qb-newton-finding-the.html ESPN Panthers community Make Sportstwo your new home! Been a forum for almost 7 years. We have never crashed. We have our own servers. We are not a fly by night forum. Our owners are experienced in running successful sports forums We can create a forum for you in seconds!
