'Adults allowed it': Cam Newton blasts Geno Smith over viral OT7 jersey stomp incident
Cam Newton has addressed the controversy that erupted at the OT7 tournament, where players from the South Florida Express were caught on camera stomping on his Auburn jersey. The act, seen as deeply disrespectful, occurred just before a high-stakes 7-on-7 game between South Florida Express and Newton's team, C1N.
While C1N went on to win the game 39-17, the heated debate over sportsmanship and adult supervision quickly stole the spotlight.
Newton takes aim at coaching conduct, not the kids
The former NFL MVP didn't hold back as he took aim at Geno Smith, who was coaching the South Florida Express during the incident. Newton made it clear that he doesn't blame the young players for the stunt, but rather the adults who allowed it to happen. His comments came during the latest episode of the 4th&1 podcast, where he gave his take on the incident that went viral online.
Skip Bayless gets FREAKY, Cowboys ALL-IN on Parsons & Cam SLAMS SHAMEFUL Jersey Stomping
'My issue isn't with the kids. My issue is with the adult that allowed the kids to do it,' Newton stated at the 21:30 mark of the episode. He emphasized that the responsibility lies with the leadership, not the youth involved in the act. Newton added that had the roles been reversed, he would have immediately intervened.
Newton demands accountability from adults on the sidelines
The 2015 NFL MVP explained that he only learned about Smith's involvement with the SFE program recently.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription!
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
What troubled Newton most was the perceived lack of accountability from the coaching side, especially from someone with NFL status. He questioned how a figure like Smith could let such a blatant display of disrespect go unchecked.
'Now, I didn't know Geno Smith's involvement with South Florida Express prior to this past week. But if the C1N kids had a Geno Smith jersey, and they proceeded to stomp on it, I would've stopped it instantly,' Newton said.
'So when I see actions like these ... there was an adult behind this and they allowed it. And that's what was most disrespectful about this whole situation.'
Also read:
Russell Wilson's wife Ciara celebrates his Marvel debut with sweet 3BRAND shoutout
Despite the incident, C1N did not win the overall OT7 tournament. That honor went to LO-PROspects, who clinched the title and became two-time champions. However, Newton's remarks have kept the focus squarely on the debate over leadership, respect, and role models in youth football culture.
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match
here.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: 'India too good, but …' - Michael Vaughan stands by 3-1 England prediction
Michael Vaughan (Photo Credits: Getty Images) India's stunning 336-run win over England in the second Test at Edgbaston may have levelled the five-match series 1-1, but former England captain Michael Vaughan isn't backing down from his pre-series prediction of a 3-1 victory in favour of the hosts. 'India have been too good this week .. Outstanding performance .. My prediction is still alive .. 3-1 England ..' Vaughan posted on X, acknowledging India's dominance but staying firm on his forecast. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! In his column for The Telegraph, however, Vaughan was more critical of England, accusing them of regressing after Headingley. 'This week, they were back to their bad old ways,' he wrote. 'Apart from four hours on the third day where Harry Brook and Jamie Smith batted beautifully, they have been totally dominated by India.' Shubman Gill, Gautam Gambhir shut critics with thumping win over England Vaughan pointed out that England misread their opening win in Leeds, where dropped catches by India tilted the momentum. 'They turned up here and thought they should do everything the same way, and it has backfired,' he said, warning that relying on 'fortune' won't win big series. Poll Will England still win the series 3-1 as predicted by Michael Vaughan? Yes, they will bounce back No, India will take the series 'You win games relying on fortune, but not big series like this one or the Ashes,' he added, urging England to 'evolve' rather than base their method on a single game. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Former pacer Stuart Broad, speaking on Sky Sports, also raised red flags about England's bowling setup. 'I'd be worried about this Indian bowling attack at Lord's,' he said, highlighting the threat of Akash Deep and the returning Bumrah. 'If it swings, you've got Bumrah who swings it so late and will be dangerous.' 'Any attack of ours can take 20 wickets anywhere': Shubman Gill hails Mohd Siraj, Akash Deep after historic Edgbaston win With the third Test at Lord's starting July 10, both pundits stressed the need for England to reassess quickly. India, meanwhile, appear primed to keep the pressure on. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG Test: 'It ended up...' - Ben Stokes blames Edgbaston pitch for England's 337-run hammering
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 06: England batsman Ben Stokes reacts after being dismissed during day five of the Second Test Match between England and India at Edgbaston on July 06, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by) England captain Ben Stokes on Sunday blamed the Edgbaston surface for his team's 337-run loss in the second Test against India in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. India defeated England by 337 runs to level the five-match Test series 1-1. The third Test between the two sides will be played at Lord's, starting on July 10. 'To be honest, it probably ended up being more of a subcontinent pitch as we got deeper and deeper into the game,' Stokes told the BBC. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'There was certainly a little bit in it to start off with. I think we exposed that very, very well early on. But then just as it got deeper and deeper, it became a real tough slog for us. 'Obviously with the Indian attack in the conditions they are used to, they knew sort of how to expose those conditions better than us. And that can happen sometimes. It's nothing to be too disheartened about, you know. We can take being out-skilled.' 🗣 "It ended up being more of a subcontinent pitch." Ben Stokes thinks the Edgbaston pitch didn't really suit his England side. #ENGvIND #BBCCricket — Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 6, 2025 At the post-match presentation, Stokes pointed towards two situations where England lost the match, as they conceded a huge 180-run lead to India and allowed their batters, including skipper Shubman Gill, to make gigantic scores. Shubman Gill, Gautam Gambhir shut critics with thumping win over England 'Two moments — having them 200-5 and not being able to burst them open after a good start with the ball. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo And being 80-5. It was going to be tough to scrape it back from there. You look back at 200-5 — if we were able to burst them open quicker, things could have been different,' he said. Asked if he's concerned about England's bowlers struggling to fire collectively, Stokes stated, 'I wouldn't say it's a concern. We ran in, we tried everything, we changed plans, but when a team's on top of you — and India are a class team — it's hard to change the momentum. Shubman Gill had an unbelievable performance.' Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG 2025: 'I'd be worried ...': Stuart Broad issues stern warning for England ahead of Lord's Test
England captain Ben Stokes in talks with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith in Birmingham. (Getty Images) India's thumping 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston has breathed fresh life into the five-Test series, now locked at 1-1. As the caravan moves to the hallowed turf of Lord's for the third Test starting July 10, talk has already begun around team combinations and the challenge of facing what Stuart Broad ominously called a 'dangerous' Indian bowling unit. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'This Indian bowling attack would worry me if I was in that England batting lineup,' Broad said during a Sky Sports panel discussion following India's historic win. 'The ball just nips down that slope at Lord's. Akash Deep brings the stumps into play, and if it swings, Bumrah will be lethal with the late movement.' Poll Does India's recent victory at Edgbaston give them an edge going into the third Test? Definitely! Not really, every match is different Shubman Gill's youthful Indian team, still riding the high of their first-ever Test win at Edgbaston, appear settled and confident. Gill led from the front with a match tally of 430 runs (269 and 161), while Akash Deep stepped up in Jasprit Bumrah's absence, claiming a stunning 10-wicket haul. Shubman Gill, Gautam Gambhir shut critics with thumping win over England With Bumrah set to return, former England captain Mark Butcher speculated that India are unlikely to make many changes. 'Bumrah will come back, and the rest will stay the same,' Butcher said. Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara agreed, noting, '[Mohammed] Siraj and Akash Deep will play. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 새로 나온 '실비보험' 최적가 비교가입! "月 보험료 낮추고, 보장은 든든하게"... 굿리치 [등록번호:제2006038313호] 가입하기 Undo Prasidh Krishna might make way for Bumrah. And they'll probably retain Washington Sundar at No. 8 for the balance he offers.' On England's side, the focus is on refreshing their misfiring pace attack. '[Chris] Woakes hasn't had great success and was unlucky, but his Lord's record is outstanding,' Broad noted. He also voiced caution about rushing in Jofra Archer or Gus Atkinson without recent match fitness. 'Any attack of ours can take 20 wickets anywhere': Shubman Gill hails Mohd Siraj, Akash Deep after historic Edgbaston win 'England play well at Lord's,' Broad added, 'but this Indian attack — especially with Bumrah back — could pose a serious threat.' As the third Test looms, it's India's revitalised pace battery, not just their record-breaking captain, that now has England on high alert. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
