Cam Newton breaks silence on fight with Alabama A&M mascot

Cam Newton is clearing the air about his altercation with the Alabama A&M mascot, saying the scuffle last week was all in good fun.

The now viral moment happened last Friday at Legion Field in Birmingham, where Newton was appearing with ESPN’s First Take crew ahead of the Magic City Classic between Alabama State and Alabama A&M. 

After the mascots competed in a 40-yard dash on the field, Butch and Newton got into a brief altercation that ended with the former NFL MVP stunning the mascot with a hard jab. 

Anyone watching Cam Newton get into it with the Alabama A&M Mascot? pic.twitter.com/0fA6l2FFJO

It went crazy on social media, but Newton says it was all for show. “I just thank God no one got hurt,” Newton said on his 4th and 1 podcast. “It was all in good fun.”

Newton explained that the ESPN footage cut away before viewers could see the pair laughing and shaking hands afterward. “If people really wanted to dig deep, they could’ve found the other clips,” he added.

“He should thank me for making him ‘Meme of the Year,’” Newton added. “Everybody can laugh about it now.”

Newton was on a roll while down in Birmingham. He also went against his co-hosts Ryan Clark and Steven A. Smith by saying the Iron Bowl with Alabama and Auburn was college football's biggest rivalry.

More college football news: 

• Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
• Steve Sarkisian reportedly interested in leaving Texas for NFL openings
• Cam Newton nearly comes to blows with a mascot on ESPN
• Paul Finebaum remains sold on one name for Florida opening
• UNC fans think Bill Belichick resigned to join Duke's coaching staff because of a satirical story