NFL star Cam Newtown reveals the name of his son

PANTHERS star Cam Newton has always been a divisive figure in American sport and that hasn’t changed with the birth of his first child.

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 13: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers listens to the fans cheer during the final seconds of a win against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won 38-0. Grant Halverson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

YOU can’t make this stuff up.

One of the NFL’s most colourful personalities and MVP favourite Cam Newton is having fun with the birth of his first child.

The Carolina Panthers quarterback confirmed on social media earlier this week he and girlfriend Kia were celebrating the healthy birth of their first child, a son.

Then, as it usually does with Cam, things got a little weird.

First, he said his less than a week old son is already running and has scholarship offers from College football programs.

Then things got a little stranger when the normally unguarded star refused to announce the name of his son.

Unfortunately, a secret this big always leaks out.

The Charlotte Observer has reported the child has been named Chosen Sebastian Newton.

The baby weighs 9 pounds, 6 ounces and is 20 inches long.

My longtime girlfriend and I were extremely blessed to have a son last week. Our family is excited and thank you all for the well wishes!

— Cameron Newton (@CameronNewton) December 31, 2015

I've been quiet about this because I didn't want to create a distraction for my team and appreciate the privacy in this joyous time.

— Cameron Newton (@CameronNewton) December 31, 2015

While he doesn’t want his private life to impact on his team’s Superbowl charge, he has happily opened up about how much his own life has been changed forever.

“It was pretty cool, pretty cool,” Newton said.

“All fathers can speak on — when you see life come into existence, it’s a wonderful thing. These past couple of days have been so monumental for me.

“I took him out for a jog yesterday.

“He was running alongside me. No, I’m serious. He has a couple of scholarship offers already on the table. I’m not pushing him to be anything. He’s just a ‘Super’ already.

“He can dunk too.”

Newton says he plans to be a strong father figure for his son, just as his dad Cecil was for him.

“He was everything I could ask for and more,” Newton said of his father.

“For him to get bashed and tormented in the media, but our personal relationship has become stronger over the years. I respect that. I understand that.

“Every man should have that father figure in their life. I know, especially where I grew up, it wasn’t a lot of people that had men in their life.

“At times I questioned that sometimes my father was too hard on us. My mum could attest to that. Now that I’m lucky enough to have a son, I’m going to be the same way, but cooler.”

Originally published as NFL star Cam Newtown reveals the name of his son