CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Michael Gallup had a noticeable piece of clothing sitting at his locker after Sunday's game.

It was a slightly dirty No. 1 Carolina Panthers jersey.

During his senior year of high school, Gallup was part of an Atlanta all-star team that competed in a 7-on-7 tournament through the Cam Newton Foundation. The Cowboys rookie wide receiver got to know the Panthers' star quarterback during his week at the tournament in Florida.

Newton came over during pregame warmups Sunday afternoon to say hello to Gallup.

"I didn't really think he was going to remember me like that," Gallup said. "But he did. After the game, he found me again and he said give me your jersey and I'm going to send you mine."

Although Gallup was disappointed to be part of a loss in his first NFL game, he said it was "pretty exciting that Cam Newton still remembers you."

Newton was the player of the game Sunday, running for 58 yards and a touchdown while also passing for 161 yards.

Gallup said Newton's play was motivating. The rookie receiver caught the only pass thrown his way for a 9-yard gain.

"It's hard to watch sometimes, because obviously they're the opposing team," Gallup said. "But it gets you juiced up, because you want to go do the same thing."