Cecil Newton Jr., born on March 20, 1986, in Savannah, Georgia, is a former American football center whose life has been deeply intertwined with the sport that defined his family.
Growing up in a household where football was more than a game, it was a legacy, Cecil emerged as the eldest son of Cecil Newton Sr., a Pentecostal bishop and former college player, and Jackie Newton, a dedicated minister and community leader.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing around 315 pounds during his playing days, Cecil embodied the physicality required for the trenches of professional football.
His journey, however, extends beyond the gridiron; today, he co-owns a barbecue restaurant in Atlanta called Smokey Stallion, blending his athletic roots with entrepreneurial spirit.
Siblings
Cecil’s younger brother, Cam Newton, born in 1989, skyrocketed to NFL stardom as a dynamic quarterback, most notably with the Carolina Panthers, where he captured the 2015 MVP award and led his team to Super Bowl 50.
Cam’s larger-than-life persona often casts a long shadow, but Cecil has always been the steady anchor, having played alongside him on the Westlake High School varsity team in Atlanta, where Cam initially joined as “Cecil’s little brother.”
Rounding out the trio is the youngest sibling, Caylin Newton, born in 1997, a quarterback in his own right who showcased his skills at Howard University, Auburn, and William & Mary before transitioning into coaching and community work.
Caylin has often spoken of emulating Cecil’s work ethic and Cam’s success, crediting his brothers for teaching him resilience and the value of learning from setbacks.
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Career
Newton’s professional football career, though brief and marked by the challenges of an undrafted free agent, reflected his tenacity and versatility along the offensive line.
After a standout college tenure at Tennessee State University, where he honed his skills as a center in the Ohio Valley Conference, Cecil entered the NFL in 2009 by signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
His early days were spent grinding through training camps and practice squads, a rite of passage for many aspiring pros.
In 2011, he briefly joined the New Orleans Saints, only to be waived and re-added to their practice squad days later, showcasing the precarious nature of roster battles.
That same year, he ventured into the United Football League (UFL), selected 11th overall by the Hartford Colonials before their suspension led to a dispersal draft assignment with the Omaha Nighthawks.
By November 2011, Cecil landed on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, rubbing shoulders with a championship-caliber team during their Super Bowl run.
He also spent time with the Green Bay Packers in 2012, but injuries and fierce competition ultimately curtailed his on-field opportunities.
Retiring from active play, Cecil transitioned seamlessly into business, leveraging his family’s Atlanta connections to launch Smokey Stallion, a barbecue spot that honors Southern flavors and serves as a gathering place for former teammates and fans alike.
Accolades
At Tennessee State, Newton earned All-Ohio Valley Conference honors as a senior in 2008, a testament to his reliability anchoring the Tigers’ offensive line and protecting the pocket for quarterback play.
In the pros, his selection as the 11th overall pick in the 2011 UFL Draft by the Hartford Colonials stood as a professional validation of his potential, placing him among the league’s top talents despite the UFL’s short-lived existence.
Beyond stats, where he appeared in zero official NFL games but logged invaluable practice reps, Cecil’s true accolades lie in his enduring family legacy.
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