2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton
traded in his football pads this past week for a clipboard at the 2nd annual Cam Newton Foundation 7v7 Memorial Day Classic. The tournament drew more than 150 of the most sought after high school athletes from around the southeastern region. The tournament was played at Lakewood High School in Atlanta Georgia.
7-on-7 passing tournaments have grown in popularity over the last several years. They serve as a major point of preparation for high school football teams and provide athletes opportunities to get recognized by college coaches.
A number of elite high school players attended the tournament, including 4-star Georgia wide receiver Jeremiah Holloman (undecided) from Newton High School, 4-star Georgia corner back Jamyest Williams (undecided) from Grayson High School, 4-star Georgia quarterback Davis Mills (Stanford University) from Greater Atlanta Christian and 4-star Florida wide receiver D.J. Matthews (Florida State University) from Trinity Christian Academy.
4-star WR Jeremiah Holloman vs. 4-star CB Jamyest Williams at the @CamNewton7v7 pic.twitter.com/lOdUA1AIct
— Keith Niebuhr (@Keith247Sports) May 30, 2016
Newton has quickly been accepted in the National Football League as a result of his on-field performance and contributions to the community with the Cam Newton Foundation. This particular event was no exception. Newton shared with these athletes much of what he has learned over the last several years. In an interview during the break, Newton explained, “Being able to catch a ball, being able to run specific routes, being able to throw [the ball], that’s God given. The thing that you can control is your effort.”
Effort was in excess at the tournament. The morning games determined seeding while the afternoon consisted of a double elimination tournament. Newton’s team, the Cam Newton All-Stars, made the finals before falling to FSS (Fundamentally Sound Sports) for a second straight year. Tony Ballard, the head coach of FSS, is well regarded as one of the premier quarterback coaches in the nation for his attention to detail and emphasis on building the leaders of tomorrow. He is the founder and CEO of Hustle Sports Inc Quarterback Academy.
Despite the loss, Newton was proud of the effort put forth, saying “It’s great to know that everybody affiliated with this team has made that ultimate commitment to go all in.”
FSS is the winner of the 2016 Cam Newton 7 on 7 Classic @tballardqbcoach @ErikRichardsUSA pic.twitter.com/rcMrWLmR0k
— Cam Newton 7V7 (@CamNewton7v7) May 31, 2016
