CHARLOTTE, N.C. – One of the most memorable moments in Cam Newton’s life came when he received a surprise birthday call from Muhammad Ali.

The Carolina Panthers quarterback and NFL MVP shared that story on the Players’ Tribune after Ali passed away last Friday.

Here’s what he wrote:

“Muhammad Ali has had a profound impact on my life. My prayers go out to his entire family.

“Anyone who knows me well knows that I idolize Muhammad Ali. I gravitated towards the fact that he seemed to truly enjoy himself and have fun as an athlete, and that he was not scared to have an opinion about important social issues.

“One of the most memorable moments in my life — one that I will always cherish — was when I received a surprise birthday call from Muhammad Ali. I could not have been more in shock and in awe.

“He finished the surprise birthday call in true Ali fashion. He said, “You might be a good football player, but you will never be as pretty as me!”

Newton also posted an Instagram tribute to Ali after the boxer died Friday.

The first social media post Newton made after losing Super Bowl 50 was a quote from Ali, so it’s obvious the former heavyweight champion had a profound impact on the quarterback’s life.