Cam Newton was one of the most accomplished football players in college, and he continued to shine in the NFL, although he could never win a Vince Lombardy Trophy.

As one of the nation’s top high school football recruits in 2007, he originally attended the University of Florida and later led Auburn University to the national title in his Heisman Award-winning season of 2010.

Newton was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft, and immediately became one of the league’s stars. At the end of his 2015 MVP season, he led the franchise to an appearance in Super Bowl 50, which he lost against the legendary quarterback Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Cam Newton goes viral for strong message

Cam Newton keeps it real with young aspiring players that want to become professional football stars in the near future. In a resurfaced video from 2023, former NFL MVP delivered a raw message to high school athletes about what it really takes to make it in college football. No sugarcoating, just the truth.

Newton told the students not to get hyped by visits from top coaches like legendary Nick Saban or Kirby Smart. He reminded them that it’s the players who need the opportunity more, not the other way around. His words cut deep, but landed hard.

Cam also warned against chasing clout online, saying real talent doesn’t need to go viral. It’s a reality check that’s sparking big conversations-and proving once again that Newton doesn’t hold back when it comes to telling younger generations what it takes to make it in the NFL.

Will Cam make it to the Hall of Fame?

NFL Players are eligible for the Hall of Fame once they’re five full seasons past their playing days, so Cam Newton would be up for discussion for the Class of 2027. While there’s no reason to believe Newton will cruise through the process easily – no discussion of his on-field talent or larger-than-life personality has ever been simple – his resume dictates that he be considered.

Having an MVP award on his mantel is a big first step, along with the more subjective argument that he did things no one else has ever done. He was the first rookie to throw for 4,000 yards in a season, and he’s the league’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (75).

The list of two-way quarterback records he’s set is long, and his impact on the Panthers was undeniable after being the first pick in the 2011 draft. His own injury-shortened career could work against him, especially with a long list of deserving quarterbacks on the way to the committee’s docket in the coming years, with Manning (2025), along with Philip Rivers and Drew Brees (2026) coming soon.

Tennessee beat out Mississippi State, Rutgers, and Georgia Tech for three-star defensive lineman Darryl Rivers on Friday.

Committed @CoachReid99 @McEachernFtball @McEachernRecrui @Jroc5DL @VolsOnSI @Vol_Football @coachg76 @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/4aQA0md6ti

— Darryl “Hawk” Rivers (@trezrivers) July 4, 2025

The 6-foot-5, 270-pound lineman from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA, continues a red-hot recruiting run for Tennessee. Josh Heupel’s 2026 class has now gotten eight commitments in the last eight days, including four defensive commitments in the last four days, to bring the class up to 17 total commitments.

247Sports’ Composite Rankings have Rivers as the No. 632 prospect in the nation, the No. 71 defensive lineman in the class, and the No. 70 player from the state of Georgia. His long frame and impressive size make him an intriguing prospect on the Vols’ list.

“Shows some suddenness in the trenches and has the mass required to take on double teams at the next level,” 247’s Hudson Standish wrote in a July evaluation. “Possesses initial knock-back strength and can use his long levers to hold offensive linemen in place before discarding. Some stiffness in the hips, but makes up for it with a hot motor and better-than-expected redirection for a player his size. Owns the physical tools to develop into a potential multi-year contributor and possible impact player.”

Rivers’ commitment to Tennessee came after a four-team official visit tour over the last month, with the Volunteers landing the last visit on June 20.

More From RTI: The Latest on Five-Star Tennessee Football Running Back Target’s Commitment Plans

Want to see what the future Volunteer has in store? Here’s a look at his junior season film:

Pro League Network (PLN) isn’t just rewriting the rules of sports, it’s setting the whole playbook on fire. As the home for the wildest, most unconventional competitions, PLN’s Friday Night Fights (FNF) has become the go-to weekly adrenaline fix for fans who crave anything but ordinary.

With a mission to spotlight emerging sports and jaw-dropping showdowns, PLN streams live every Friday, serving up viral moments and next-level drama for a global audience that’s all about hype, heart, and high-stakes action.

Last week, FNF dropped the internet-breaking debut of Coffin Wars, a combat sport so insane it had fighters literally brawling for daylight inside a six-foot coffin. Forget the octagon, this was pure, claustrophobic chaos, with competitors like LaRoy Davis and Zac Moore battling to break out before the clock ran out, all for bragging rights and a shot at becoming the first Coffin Wars champ. The internet’s reaction? “What the hell is this, and where can I see more?” PLN delivered, turning a viral fever dream into a must-watch league event that’s already got fans begging for a rematch.

But if you thought last week was wild, buckle up, because Week Four is about to roll in with the world premiere of Ultimate Tire Wrestling, and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever streamed before

What Is Ultimate Tire Wrestling?

Imagine two athletes locked in a relentless, five-minute battle, not for a pin, not for points, but for control of the tire. The rules? Both competitors must keep contact with the tire at all times. Grapplers score by lifting their opponent’s feet off the mat and racking up “control time.” At the end of each round, whoever controlled the tire the longest takes the win. At any moment, the match can end instantly if one athlete manages to stuff 51% of their opponent’s body inside the tire. It’s part grappling, part strategy, all chaos, think sumo meets tug-of-war, but with a giant tire and zero chill.

Why You Can’t Miss This Week

PLN’s Friday Night Fights isn’t just a show, it’s a vibe. Every week, the lineup changes, the stakes get higher, and the action gets more unpredictable. From viral slap battles to coffin brawls, PLN is where memes are born and legends are made. With Ultimate Tire Wrestling making its FNF debut, expect nonstop action, unconventional tactics, and highlight-reel moments that’ll light up social media.

This week’s Ultimate Tire Wrestling tournament brings together a dynamic mix of athletes, each with their own unique strengths and backgrounds:

Firecracker (Gold): Known for his explosive energy and relentless drive, Firecracker is a standout from PLN’s SlapFight series, always pushing the pace and never backing down from a challenge.

Lucas Clay (Red alt): Making his PLN debut, Clay is a highly skilled professional jiujitsu grappler, ready to shake up the competition with his technical prowess and fresh perspective.

Groundshark (White): Another jiujitsu specialist, Groundshark is respected for his tactical approach and ability to outmaneuver opponents in high-pressure situations.

Mallet (Blue): A powerhouse with a reputation for raw strength, Mallet’s crossover from SlapFight brings a hard-hitting edge and unpredictable style to the tire arena.

Black Larry (Green): The “Swiss Army Knife” of PLN, Black Larry’s versatility and experience across multiple combat sports make him a formidable and adaptable competitor.

Smiley (Purple): Always upbeat and unpredictable, Smiley’s endurance and crowd-pleasing antics have made him a fan favorite, especially after his memorable SlapFight performances.

With seasoned SlapFight veterans and skilled grapplers in the mix, this lineup promises a thrilling blend of power, technique, and showmanship, setting the stage for unforgettable matchups and dramatic moments in the tire wrestling ring.

Tune-in to Friday Night Fights each week on Pro League Network’s YouTube at 10 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. CT and stay tuned to PLN’s social channels for the heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping action.

– Advertisement –

By Neto Baptiste

Antigua and Barbuda now has an umbrella body to manage and promote the affairs of arm wrestling.

This is according to the sport’s lone international competitor Daniel Antonio, who recently won gold in the Left Arm Youth 90 kilogram-plus division of the Pan American Arm-Wrestling Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, Antonio revealed that the body has been in place and duly recognized for some weeks now.

“As of last month, we do have the Antigua and Barbuda Arm Wresting Association so it’s now official and it is now recognized by the Ministry of Sports and we have about, between 30 and 40 youngsters as part of the group,” he said. 

Antonio said the formation of the association allows him to spread his knowledge to other Antiguans wanting to get involved in the sport.

“My goal is to raise awareness because, just like everyone else, I used to think that it is just a regular game or that it is more of a game than a sport and just something you do for fun. Once I received the awareness that it’s done at a higher level across the world and that there is a world arm wrestling federation that has been around since the 1970s that actually has 105 countries registered with professional teams and professional athletes … I thought it was my duty to share that awareness with the rest of my country,” he said. 

The young arm wrestler has been building momentum on the international stage. In 2023, he claimed first place in the beginner category in Spain and demonstrated his potential by placing fifth against world champions in the 100KG Seniors Category.

Antonio said he enjoys representing Antigua and Barbuda.

“So, for example, I’ve done the North American Championships twice, last year in Mexico City and this year in Costa Rica and on both occasions, I was the only competitor from the English-speaking Caribbean because Puerto Rico has been a part of arm wrestling since the ‘90s. They are technically part of the West Indies but they are an American territory. …We still consider Antigua as the first Caribbean country so they’ve been very surprised and they’ve been very excited,” he said.

After participating in the Arnold Classic Europe Arm Wrestling Tournament back in 2023, Antonio had pledged to start a national association.

About The Author

– Advertisement –