Former NFL star Cam Newton makes noise at Nebraska stadium with iconic Ric Flair saying as high school talents team up for intense training

Former NFL MVP Cam Newton visited Nebraska on Friday for the "Battle in the Boneyard” 7-on-7 event, joining high school athletes on the Lincoln campus. He coached his C1N team, part of the Cam Newton Foundation, and threw passes during drills.

Newton posted a clip Monday on Instagram from inside the stadium, quoting wrestling legend Ric Flair:

“Hey, in the famous words of Ric Flair, ‘Baby, you can't be the first, but you can possibly be the next. Watch out.’”

The event featured Nebraska coach Matt Rhule and 2026 quarterback commit Trae Taylor. Newton and Rhule previously worked together during Newton’s return to Carolina in 2021.

The video and appearance spotlight Newton’s continued presence in football. A Heisman winner and national champion at Auburn, he led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50 and won NFL MVP in 2015.

Matt Rhule’s photo with Cam Newton drawing backlash

Former Panthers coach Matt Rhule posted a photo Friday with Cam Newton, captioned “Superman Sighting,” showing Newton visiting him in Nebraska.

The post drew backlash from Carolina fans.

“Send him packing,” one replied.

"Nebraska is terrible lmao,” another wrote.

“I’d keep that clown as far away from your players as possible,” another commented.

Rhule’s 11-27 record over three seasons and $62 million contract, nearly matching Andy Reid’s salary, are still sore points. He never reached the playoffs and is often blamed for the team’s ongoing struggles.

Nebraska opens the 2025 season on Thursday, Aug. 28, against Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The Huskers return to Memorial Stadium for three straight home games:

Sept. 6 vs. Akron, 7:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
Sept. 13 vs. HCU, 12 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sept. 20 vs. Michigan, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+)

After a bye on Sept. 27, Nebraska hosts Michigan State for Homecoming on Oct. 4. Kickoff time is TBD, expected between 12-4 p.m. ET.

Also Read: "It all comes back to money” - Cam Newton gets real about how Stefon Diggs is an upgrade for Cardi B

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

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Edited by Bhargav