Cam Newton isn’t exactly hard to miss. At 6’5″ and 245 pounds, Newton was one of the most physically imposing quarterbacks to ever play the game, on top of being one of the most athletically gifted.
However, that couldn’t prevent the former MVP from nearly getting trampled after encountering LeBron James at Fanatics Fest a few weeks ago.
Cam Newton Recalls Chaotic Moment with LeBron James
Newton relived the funny encounter with the Lakers legend on the June 26 episode of his show “4th&1 With Cam Newton.”
The story perfectly captures what happens when two superstars collide in a crowded public setting, complete with overzealous security and a camera malfunction at the worst possible moment.
Cam got run over by @KingJames‘ security… but still got the Polaroid! 📸
This story is hilarious start to finish 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/836upLaIix
— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) June 26, 2025
It all started with Newton encountering James’ mom, Gloria. After snapping a Polaroid, which Newton says helps “savor the moment,” with Ms. James, she immediately invited him over to link up with her son. The elder James clearly recognized Newton and wanted to make the introduction happen.
“She was like, ‘you want to go see LeBron?'” Newton recalled. “So she grabs my hand and we’re proceeding to go see LeBron James.”
It was already a pretty chaotic scene, as Newton remembered. James was en route to another stage, which was in the complete opposite direction from where his mother and Newton were walking, and there was a sea of people surrounding them.
Newton compared it to the stampede scene from “The Lion King,” which gives you an idea of just how packed and frantic the situation had become.
When Everything Goes Wrong at Once
Nevertheless, it all appeared to be setting up perfectly. Newton looked like he was going to get his flick with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. It’s a picture that would absolutely be making the rounds for a few days.
The former Carolina Panthers quarterback had his camera ready and was positioning himself for what should have been a simple photo opportunity.
Just one small problem, though.
“So as I’m getting my Polaroid ready, I don’t got no more film!” Newton said.
Time was even more of the essence at that point. As Newton started scrambling to find more film for his camera, James’ security started getting antsy. They were in a time crunch, the crowd was getting larger, and nobody was moving.
Soon enough, Newton found himself right in the crossfire of a security team trying to move their client through a mob of fans.
“Boom, barricade,” Newton remembered. “Shoulder check. Boom, bumper car. Boom, another bumper car.”
Before he could possibly lose his footing and become a human doormat, Newton regained his composure and told everybody to slow down. As he put it, he had to get his Polaroid. The 2015 NFL MVP wasn’t about to let a little chaos stop him from getting that picture. After finally getting more film, he got his shot with James.
For as chaotic a moment as it ended up being, Newton holds no grudges at the end of the day. He understands the reality of what happens when celebrities try to navigate crowded public spaces, especially when fans are involved.
“Not every day you get to see LeBron James,” Newton said. “People was just pushing, and I get it. I get it. Trust me.”
The whole experience shows how even former NFL superstars can get caught up in the madness that surrounds other elite athletes. Newton’s ability to laugh about nearly getting trampled while trying to take a picture speaks to his personality and understanding of how these situations work.
But at least now for the future, Newton knows: ALWAYS check the film first. It’s a lesson that could save any photographer from getting caught in a similar situation, whether they’re dealing with NBA royalty or just trying to capture any important moment.
