By John Ingoldsby, Player Engagement Insider
It is said by some that promises are made to be broken, but NFL superstar Cam Newton didn’t get to the top of his high-profile profession by subscribing to that theory.
In the midst of his best season so far where he has lived up to the promise forecast for his career, the Carolina Panthers quarterback and likely MVP candidate recently kept perhaps his most important promise of his young life.
Newton, an Atlanta native, received his sociology degree from Auburn University, fulfilling a pledge he made to his mother that he would graduate one day; a pledge made when he left school early after winning both the 2010 Heisman Trophy and leading the Tigers to a win over the University of Oregon in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game, which ultimately led to his becoming the first overall pick by the Panthers in the 2011 draft.
It was indeed a poignant moment for the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback (2011, 2013, 2015) and perhaps his personal highlight of the past few months, even though he was in the midst of leading the Panthers to 14 straight wins and a 15-1 overall record for the 2015 regular season. Newton himself had the best year of his career, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 30 touchdowns and rush for 10 in the same season. He is also the only quarterback in league history to throw for 300 yards and five touchdown passes and rush for more than 100 yards in a single game – a feat he accomplished in week 15 against the New York Giants.
“I promised my Mom I would finish,” Newton said soon after signing a five-year, $103.8 million extension in June 2015 to continue as quarterback for Carolina. “I’m in the league that so many people cherish, but I can also shine light to so many other people that are in the dark.”
Newton continued, “Why do I need my degree? I already got money. It’s not about how it may seem to you. It just makes sense. I’m Cam Newton. I’m a graduate of a college. Not only a college, one of the best colleges.”
No surprise since Newton said they were raised to be people of truth and drive to finish things they start, and obtaining his college degree was an opportunity to do exactly what he was brought up to do.
Now comes the chance to pay it forward. The Pro Bowl quarterback, who has been doing community work since his days at Auburn, started his Cam Newton Foundation in 2012. The foundation’s stated mission is “to ensure that children’s socioeconomic, educational, physical, and emotional needs are enhanced.” The foundation organizes several events each year focused on helping children and at which Newton is always present. When he speaks to the children in the communities he supports, he can say with pride and effort that getting his degree was worth it for him, and can be accomplished by anyone willing to work for it.
Newton stands as a solid example that there are promises that are made to be kept.