The high school student who heckled Cam Newton at the quarterback’s own 7-on-7 tournament apologized Monday after a video of the incident went viral on social media over the weekend.
Jseth Owens posted an apology on his Twitter, expressing his “deepest apologies” to Newton and others for his actions. At Newton’s youth football tournament, Owens, a Pennsylvania resident, heckled the quarterback — yelling the former MVP was “ass” and about to be poor because Newton is set to hit free agency next month after a down 2020.
Newton can be seen engaging in some light trash-talking — “I’m rich,” he said with a smile — but then asked to speak with the boy’s father when the heckling continued. In an Instagram post, Newton shared further video of an exchange with Owens in which Newton can be seen calmly talking to the teenager. Newton wrote it did him “no good” to get in a back-and-forth with the boy.
@CameronNewton @barstoolsports @overtime @espn pic.twitter.com/eBTg1tnnzI
— jseth owens (@jsethowens_5) February 22, 2021
While Newton took the high road, video of the incident went viral — leading plenty of athletes to criticize Owens for not showing more respect to Newton, the former first overall pick who won the NFL’s MVP in 2015.
Cam was a 5 star recruit out of high school. Won the Heisman. Was the #1 pick in the Draft. A NFL MVP. These kids in this generation don’t understand.Most of these kids will never have the success @CameronNewton has had they better soak up game I know I would. @bigplay24slay https://t.co/Ovs0JFZO08
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) February 21, 2021
I wish my children would disrespect any adult like that! I’m from the old school where this type of behavior is not tolerated! Real Talk. https://t.co/s6mmH3STfd
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 21, 2021
To all the parents that bring their kids to fun camps, you let your son step into the box talking trash, there are no more age limits we will handle this like men 😂😂😂 https://t.co/ex6iqWp1B1
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) February 21, 2021
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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