Cam Newton Performs Helicopter Stunt on Reality Show in Wales

CARDIFF, Wales — Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton showcased his elite athleticism in a jaw-dropping stunt during his appearance on the FOX reality show “Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.” Newton, who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, was filmed leaping from a speeding boat to a hovering helicopter, a move reminiscent of an action movie sequence.

In the dramatic scene, Newton jumped from the boat and grabbed onto the helicopter’s landing skids. Initially securing only a handhold, he managed to pull himself up onto the skids and into the helicopter. The stunt left his fellow contestants in awe. “You see that? He pressed himself up — on a helicopter,” actor Stephen Baldwin remarked.

Newton celebrated his feat with a triumphant scream, though it earned him a scolding from one of the show’s military advisors. The contestants were in Wales undergoing training for “the harsh reality of ocean warfare” as part of the show’s third season.

Newton is among 16 contestants on the show, which also includes Olympic swimmer Nathan Adrian, Olympic track and field star Marion Jones, former NFL receiver Golden Tate, former soccer player Landon Donovan, and reality TV star Brody Jenner. Three episodes into the season, three contestants, including Baldwin and actress Denise Richards, have already left the competition.

Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP, played 11 seasons in the league, primarily with the Carolina Panthers. Known for his dual-threat abilities as a passer and runner, he spent the 2020 season with the New England Patriots before returning to Carolina for his final NFL season in 2021. Since retiring, Newton has worked as an analyst for ESPN and hosts his own podcast, “4th & 1 with Cam Newton.”