Newton's off-the-field efforts are significant and purposeful, but perhaps his greatest legacy has been growing the sport of football at the grassroots level and using the game as a gateway to mentor youth. Newton's passion and enthusiasm for high school football is exemplified by his annual 7-on-7 tournament which featured four events, 85 high school teams and over 2,000 student-athletes in 2019.

Newton's 7-on-7 All-Star team also affords the opportunity to counsel and prepare elite high school players for the next step in their football development. Since 2011, 450 student-athletes have participated in the program including 20 future Collegiate Academic All-Americans, 10 current and former NFL players and 75 student-athletes currently playing collegiate football. Notable players who have benefitted from Newton's mentorship include Deshaun Watson (QB, Houston Texans), Michael Gallup (WR, Dallas Cowboys), Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State) and Jadon Haselwood (WR, Oklahoma University).

Selected first overall in the 2011 draft after earning the Heisman Trophy and leading Auburn to the 2010 BCS National Championship, Newton was the consensus choice as the NFL MVP in 2015, becoming the first player in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes and 10 rushing touchdowns in a single season.