Former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton returned to Jordan-Hare Stadium to see the Tigers battle No. 2 Georgia on Saturday (gametracker), and he found an unlikely companion in the stands. Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl sat shirtless with his team in the student section, inspiring Newton -- who wore one of his signature feathered hats -- to leave the field and join him for a photo opportunity before the game.
Earlier on Saturday, Newton posted an Instagram story that polled fans about whether he should watch the game from the student section, and over 90% voted yes. Newton then gave the fans exactly what they wanted and -- courtesy of the 61-year-old Pearl's bare chest -- then some. Madi Prewett, an Auburn alum and former contestant on "The Bachelor," joined Newton and Pearl in what became an energized celebration.
Gameday SQUAD!
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) October 9, 2021
✅ @coachbrucepearl
✅ @CameronNewton
✅ @madiprew
✅ Hoops Squad #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/ANxJOjZr20
Cam Newton and a shirtless Bruce Pearl. Must be time for kickoff. @wtvmsports pic.twitter.com/1codNuFXLW
— Jonathon Hoppe (@jahop23) October 9, 2021
Auburn fans cheered Newton from the moment he stepped onto the field, and for good reason. The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner lead the team to a perfect record and a national championship in his lone season on The Plains.
Newton, a former MVP and Super Bowl quarterback with the Carolina Panthers, is currently an NFL free agent. The New England Patriots cut the 32-year-old on Aug. 31 to clear a path for rookie Mac Jones to start.
Pearl, who became Auburn's coach in 2014-15, has led a complete turnaround of the program. The Tigers have already made two NCAA Tournament appearances with Pearl at the helm -- including a trip to the 2019 Final Four -- after they made only one in 14 years prior to his arrival.
