Overview
- The exchange occurred at Birmingham’s Legion Field during an ESPN First Take segment promoting the Magic City Classic.
- A 40-yard dash between the Alabama State Hornet and Alabama A&M Bulldog preceded the incident, with the Hornet winning.
- Video shows Newton slapping and pushing the Bulldog mascot after his hat was knocked off, then telling the performer to stop.
- The scuffle de-escalated quickly as Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Clark returned to the desk with Newton and moved on without substantive discussion.
- Coverage notes the clip spread widely online and that Newton, a recent ESPN hire, previously apologized for a separate 2024 altercation.