The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is given every year to the player who not only demonstrates excellence on the field, but also a huge and lasting impact in the community. Panthers fans should know a lot about this award, as the last two winners are starting on defense for Carolina. Cam Newton is having arguably the best season of his career and is even being talked about as a MVP candidate, rightfully so. Even still, his work on the field pales in comparison to what he does off the field.
The Cam Newton Foundation is the main way Cam makes his impact in the community. The foundation's mantra is "Every 1 Matters," and further breaks down into "Every 1 Learns, Plays, and Gives," focusing on making sure that "children's socioeconomic, educational, physical and emotional needs are enhanced." Cam does not just focus on one aspect of the children's lives, he aims to better their entire lives. Entire articles could be written about the Cam Newton Foundation's work, but let's just look at a few of the events from this year. The foundation hosted five 7v7 football tournaments for almost 100 high schools throughout the Southeast US. The foundation's "Every 1 Learns" initiative provides college scholarships for high school seniors who have overcome obstacles and bettered their schools and communities. The second annual Kids Rock! Gala had Cam and ESPN host Trey Wingo lead a black tie fundraiser with a musical performance by Grammy-nominee Gavin DeGraw. Another fundraiser was a celebrity kickball tournament in the Charlotte Knights stadium and included Bo Jackson, Chris Daughtry, Kemba Walker, Eddie George, Steve Smith, Randy Moss, and other members of the Carolina Panthers. Back in the Spring, the foundation hosted school pride day where 44 local middle schools went to Memorial Stadium and over 800 students participated in educational and recreational games. We are also about a week away from Cam's annual Thanksgiving Jam where he will help feed almost 800 underprivileged children. Those are just a handful of the official Cam Newton Foundation events that Cam was involved with, that does not include all the random things he does in the community.
Here is a story about Cam Newton showing a Wounded Warrior an impromptu act of kindness, literally giving him the shirt off his back. Here is our own James Dator's recap of Cam's surprise trip to a child with cancer's Halloween party. Here is an ESPN story about Cam's upcoming children's show that will air on Nickelodeon in 2016. Since he came to Carolina, his touchdown routine has involved giving the football to a young Panthers fan in the stands. He does that at home games and on the road. One of those footballs went to a young fan whose father had died just two months earlier. And that routine has changed. Instead of Cam giving all the touchdown footballs to a fan, the player that scores the touchdown gives the ball away. That's the type of leadership Cam brings. He is even turning a near-fatal car crash into a call to action to make traveling through Charlotte a little safer.
He is brash, he is cocky, he showboats, he #DabsOnThemFolks, he rips down opposing fans' banners, he just rubs some people the wrong way. He is also a great human being who is working harder off the field than most people realize. Cam Newton should be the Panthers' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Some people's minds will never be changed. Some people will always hate Cam Newton. But he deserves to be recognized for the fantastic work he does for local children. For those of you that live in the Charlotte area, you can sign up to volunteer with the Cam Newton Foundation here.
Keep doing what you do, Cam. Keep Pounding.