A fun little ESPN segment over the weekend featuring Cam Newton and a couple of mascots went a little off the rails.
Newton appeared on Friday morning’s episode of “First Take,” which hosted a cheeky 40-yard dash between the mascots of Alabama State and Alabama A&M. The two schools were slated to face off on the football field a day later.
The former NFL MVP stood at the finish line as Stinger, the Alabama State Hornets’ mascot, beat out Butch, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs’ mascot, in the for-fun foot race. Butch playfully tried to mess with Newton, who celebrated his rival’s victory.
Anyone watching Cam Newton get into it with the Alabama A&M Mascot? pic.twitter.com/0fA6l2FFJO
— Legend 🦁 (@Legendkilla691) October 24, 2025
Newton looked like he was no longer playing around when Butch knocked over his hat. The former Auburn great slapped the bulldog mascot fairly hard and began to grapple with him. Newton shoved Butch with some force and walked away.
“Stop playing with me!” Newton cautioned the Alabama A&M mascot.
A snapshot of Newton loading up his slap has made waves on social media. The power in Newton’s arm is well-documented. One can only imagine how strong his strikes are from close range.
Cam Newton is hilarious dawg 🤣
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 24, 2025
(@espn) pic.twitter.com/mJ26WHB34V
It’s possible the entire thing was staged. But if so, Newton deserves credit for making it genuinely look like he was annoyed at the Alabama A&M mascot.
The “Worldwide Leader” hired Newton last year to be a regular analyst on “First Take.” ESPN has since signed Cam to an extension and expanded his role on the show. His duties apparently include fighting disrespectful mascots on live television.
