Overview
- The exchange occurred Oct. 24 at Birmingham’s Legion Field during ESPN’s First Take coverage of the Magic City Classic.
- After a 40-yard mascot race, Alabama A&M’s Butch mixed it up with Newton, who responded with a quick jab captured live.
- The brief clip spread rapidly on social media, with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin initially believing it was a real fight.
- On his 4th & 1 podcast, Newton said the moment was all in good fun, expressed relief no one was hurt, and noted longer clips show post-scuffle cordiality.
- He joked that Butch earned “Meme of the Year,” and there have been no public reports of discipline or official action.