Young Athlete at Cam Newton’s Football Camp Learns a Lesson in Deference
Cam Newton During a Game with the New England Patriots
By: Baigen Seawell
Cam Newton, an NFL Quarterback, 3x Pro Bowler, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, former MVP, went tit for tat with a young athlete who attended his camp this past weekend.
The young high schooler who was eventually identified as Jseth Owens from Perkiomen High School in Pennsylvania, hurled a slew of insults at the seasoned vet, again at his camp.
Kid was really saying this at CAM NEWTON’S own camp 😳 (h/t thesportsuniverse/TikTok) pic.twitter.com/YjQjc53tNZ
— Overtime (@overtime) February 21, 2021
“You about to be a free agent,” says Owens in one part of the clip.
“I’m Rich.” Responds Newton.
“You About to be poor,” says Owens.
While it’s cringeworthy to say the least with this exchange of words between the two, the young athlete got what he wanted: attention. It was picked up by almost every media outlet before the sun set on Sunday.
The conversation was exaggerated by said outlets, calling it a “Heated exchange,” or an “argument,” which it could barely be that due to Cam looking to actually talk to the kid’s father (someone who’s actually in his age range) over the kid himself.
Any young athlete watching this video please don’t be this kid, Don’t miss your chance to learn something from someone who has been their at the highest level in this sport.... STAY HUMBLE https://t.co/BCmGPK8w1W
— 7⃣ Leonard Fournette (@_fournette) February 21, 2021
You disrespected Cam Newton at his camp... the kid closed alot of doors and he don't even know it.
— Cameron Rolle (@CRolleLB52) February 21, 2021
What is Deference:
def·er·ence
/ˈdef(ə)rəns/
noun
noun: deference
1. humble submission and respect.
This kid had none of that. Trolling or not.
Newton holds a 7v7 camp and sponsors numerous high school teams around the country to improve their talents throughout the offseason. This is an opportunity for many kids to get better, network and get to meet a successful pro athlete in real time while doing it.
The submission should stem from the fact that one is in the position and presence to get to a place where they are seeking to get to: in this case it’s professional football, maybe even going D1.
There are over 100 D1 programs in the United States, and each have a limited number of scholarships to give. There are over one and a half million high school athletes in the country… if you were to do some quick math, less than 1% make it to this point.
A fraction of the 1% of those who become D1 athletes make it to the pros.
Where the respect comes in is from the fact that you are again in the presence of someone who made it to that point. Newton did not have it easy, as he jumped from D1 to Junior College and back to D1, had a few scandals on the way… and still made it.
But nonetheless, poor Jseth decided deference, respect, whatever you want to call it, was not necessary, despite the position he was placed in. Jseth issued out an apology via social media.
@CameronNewton @barstoolsports @overtime @espn pic.twitter.com/eBTg1tnnzI
— jseth owens (@jsethowens_5) February 22, 2021
But luckily, this closed out with a (kind of) happy ending between the two. Newton pulls Owens aside to discuss Owens’ play, his season and record, along with his stats. Owens was radio silent, but here’s to hoping that his outlook changes sooner than later.
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