Cam Newton learned the hard way that being the first overall NFL draft pick means nothing on a first date. Studies show that leaning too hard on self-praise is one of the fastest ways to kill a connection before it starts.
For Simmons, Newton’s lack of self-awareness was enough to end things before they got off the ground. This 2011 encounter is a reminder that ego has a way of closing doors that talent alone cannot reopen.
Cam Newton fails first date with Angela Simmons
Cam Newton met Angela Simmons for a blind date in 2011. Mutual friend Corey Gamble arranged the meeting in New York City. Newton was 22 years old and preparing for the NFL Draft. Simmons was 24 years old and already a famous television star. They met at a local diner for a meal.
Cam Newton
Former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton cheers on his team from the sideline as Auburn Tigers take on Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Auburn Tigers lead Georgia Bulldogs 10-3 at halftime.
The evening lasted less than 3 hours. Newton shared these details during a March 2026 episode of his Funky Friday podcast. The video reached thousands of views within hours of its release. Fans shared the clip across 4 major social media platforms. Most viewers focused on Newton’s awkward behavior.
Things shifted during the taxi ride home after dinner. Newton finally began to show genuine interest in who she was as a person, but by then Simmons had already made up her mind. She turned down any further advances from the quarterback. The damage from earlier in the night was done and no amount of charm in a cab was going to change that.
“You were patting yourself on the back and laughing,” Simmonstold Newton. “I only started getting interested in you on the ride back.”
She reminded him that his behavior was the primary reason for the “ick.” Newton laughed at the memory and did not deny the claims. He attributed his actions to the high pressure of the upcoming football draft.
The pair never went on a 2nd date. They remained distant acquaintances for the next 15 years. They only saw each other briefly at industry events. This podcast appearance was their first long conversation since that night in New York. Newton took the feedback with a smile.
The brain is wired to hold onto negative experiences longer than positive ones. A single insult or embarrassing moment registers as a threat and burns itself into long-term memory in a way that a hundred compliments never could.
Newton was the first overall pick in his draft class but could not win over one woman. Fame and athletic success do not automatically come with social grace. When it comes to real human connection, humility matters more than any trophy or contract.