Former college stars like Cam Newton or Johnny Manziel weren’t playing when there was NIL. Seeing how different the level is now, though, as compared to when they were athletes has them reminding today’s players to be grateful and ready for what all comes with the dollars going around the collegiate game. Newton sat down […]
Former college stars like Cam Newton or Johnny Manziel weren’t playing when there was NIL. Seeing how different the level is now, though, as compared to when they were athletes has them reminding today’s players to be grateful and ready for what all comes with the dollars going around the collegiate game.
Newton sat down with Manziel on an episode of ‘Glory Daze’ last week. That discussion covered several topics about their respective careers, as well as the modern-day impact of name, image, and likeness. With that, Newton, speaking out to current college athletes, told them to appreciate the time they’re playing in as, in comparison, their years were nothing like it considering the rules they’d be breaking in the NCAA.
“I just hope, and this message goes to any collegiate athlete, male or female. You’re reaping the benefits today that, once upon a time, somebody was suspended for and they lost their whole eligibility,” said Newton. “Having five-touchdown games, six-touchdown games and going back to your dorm and, like, begging for a pizza, or begging just – bro, like. Taking all the Gatorades and the Powerades (from the facility), just stashing them.”
“Like, these were survival tactics as an athlete during that time that you had to do to survive, knowing that your effort and energy and blood and everything went towards propelling a university. And, I get it. Trust. I do get it,” Newton said.
NIL began back in July of 2021 with revenue sharing now coming to college athletics, following the approval of the House Settlement, in July of 2025 as an influx of millions and millions of dollars has come into play over that four-year span. Of the athletes who then didn’t earn money from name, image, and likeness in their careers, Newton and Manziel make the case as two former big-name quarterbacks in the SEC and Heisman winners respectively as players who could have made the most had they been in that kind of era.
Because of these changes during the 2020s, Newton knows there’s really no such thing as amateurism anymore. Once players really get close to the high school level, they become professionals in regards to name, image, and likeness – with pressure and criticism coming with those dollars as well.
“I think amateur athletics is dead,” said Newton. “It goes, really, middle school, rec ball to semi-pro because you can now start getting NIL in high school. And then, right after high school, you’re a professional athlete.”
“By no means am I saying that they should not get paid but what I am saying is you have to make sure, above the head, you’re able to be mature enough to walk in whatever comes with the expectation. Because, bro, it’s wild,” Newton said. “Like, three million dollars at 17, 18? You know, financially, you’re rich. Realistically, you’re broke, though, and that’s the danger.”
A lot of past college athletes, especially the ones who didn’t go on to be pros, can’t even imagine the money that the ones in the modern day are making. Still, with what all else comes with those commas, Newton and Manziel both warned them to be wary about it all.
Category: Football
