![]() The kid who grew up in the Dallas Cowboys’ locker room, catching balls from Troy Aikman and shadowing his father Nate Newton, had taken one hit too many.ĭaily Texan file photo from September 7, 2010. “The best decision for me and my future is to not play football at the University of Texas,” Newton said. Newton, who had missed the team’s last game against Oklahoma State because of concussion symptoms, faced two rows of reporters anticipating his announcement.Ī normally eloquent and heady speaker, Newton began with an unusual lack of grace, his words supplemented with a flurry of “ums”and “uhs.” But what he said resonated clearly. He sat down and gazed out to a mass of cameras and somewhat familiar faces staring back at him. With this in mind, Newton strode to the podium suddenly panicking about what to say. Instead, football raided his potential for long-term health after dealing him seven concussions in nine seasons. It wasn’t because of an injury that robbed him of his speed or natural gift of strength. The son of an NFL player and a person who had identified himself almost singularly with the sport for a decade would voluntarily give up the sport he adores. 15, 2010, for the last time as Tre’ Newton - football player.ĭuring the next 30 minutes, that side of Newton would be cast aside. The elevator flashed nine and as the doors opened, Newton strolled out of the elevator into Bellmont Hall on Nov. How can I stop? It’s the only thing I know. Joining Newton on that line was Mark Tunei, Erik Williams, Kevin Gogan, Mark Stepnowski and John Gesek.This will be the last time I talk to the media. Contributors to the story are too numerous to mention, but they helped to paint an accurate picture of the fun-loving linemen of the Dallas Cowboys during the 1990s in a one-hour special. ![]() on the NFL Network and features interviews from Aikman, Irvin, Smith, Deion Sanders, Jerry Jones and Pam Oliver. Newton was a favorite of Madden’s commentary, causing others to recognize their role in the success of the era. ![]() Madden, a former Super Bowl coach with the Oakland Raiders, also brought attention to the fact that it was the big guys up front, that made it possible for the Cowboys to be successful. ![]() Newton’s popularity soared when then NFL commentator, John Madden, gravitated to him. He made the Pro Bowl six times, was named to the Pro Bowl twice and won three Super Bowls.ĭuring his time in Dallas, it was a tradition that the Cowboys play on Thanksgiving. In 1986, he became a Dallas Cowboy, where he would have his most successful stint in the NFL. When the league folded, he was listed on the All-Time USFL team. The following two years, he spent in the now-defunct United States Football League (USFL) under coach Steve Spurrier with the Tampa Bay Bandits. He was undrafted in 1983 when he finished his career at FAMU, but was picked up by the Washington Redskins in 1983. Newton earned All-MEAC at FAMU, as well as the nickname “Big Time.” He made his mark pulling around end-leading FAMU running backs Frank “Choo Choo” Middleton and Antonio “Body Heat” Barber. In addition to his picture-perfect football frame, he had incredible speed. While large in size, Newton was known as one of the most personable on his team at FAMU. Newton, a native of Orlando, where he was a standout a Jones High School, played for FAMU head coach Rudy Hubbard. While NFL Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin garnered most of the attention, the feature takes another approach at understanding how their success came about. Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones credits the linemen with being the foundation for the success of the entire team. The feature is on the impressive offensive line of the Dallas Cowboys in the early 1990s, which paved the way for their success. The NFL Network has won two Emmy Awards for their insightful series “A Football Life,” which features stories about NFL players in the non-conventional manner. Former FAMU All-American and All-MEAC Nathaniel “Nate” Newton will be featured as a part of a special entitled “The Great Wall of Dallas,” tonight at 9 p.m.
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