Patriots: Cam Newton posts emotional IG tribute on father’s birthday
By Adam Weinrib
Patriots QB Cam Newton paid tribute to his father on Instagram.
The Patriots QB competition may or may not be heating up, depending on which beat writers you’re listening to.
But whether or not the heat is actually on, Cam Newton is undoubtedly in a good mood as the process plays out.
Through only a few days of padded-up training camp, Newton’s been his usual boisterous self, dancing for the cameras and showing off the read option while Jarrett Stidham remains “comfortable” in the system.
And as he embarks — for real — on this whole new world, Newton had to pause and thank the man who taught him to deal with shifting circumstances and changing expectations: his dad. The possible QB1 wished a happy birthday to his pops Cecil Newton Jr. on Tuesday, with a very heartfelt message (written in his chosen font, of course).
Of course, Newton and his father haven’t always had a relationship grounded exclusively in joy — the elder Newton was a large part of an eligibility investigation that almost kicked the QB out action during Auburn’s 2010 title run.
But the part that resounds most powerfully here is the opening line: “Coming from where I come from, growing up with your father was rare.”
Through ups and downs, Newton has always had a nurturing face in his corner, and those “downs” have exponentially increased in recent years, with 2020 under Bill Belichick serving as the light at the end of the tunnel.
You certainly can’t accuse him of lacking his trademark style thus far in training camp.
https://twitter.com/CameronNewton/status/1296069152894050307?s=20
This is the Newton we love to see — he’s feeling himself, and, most importantly, he’s feeling comfortable.
Clearly, a lot of this comes from the man who raised him.
