High school practices underway; NFL training camps up and running

August 1, 2015

John Rendleman,

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Saturday marks the first day of official high school football practice for the 2015 season all across the state. A handful of teams from our region will hit the practice field at the stroke of midnight; however, most of our local teams will practice in the mid-morning before the heat of the day.

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SPARTANBURG, SC (AP) – Cam Newton says the automobile accident that left him with two broken bones in his lower last December has given him a new outlook on life.

The Panthers’ fifth-year quarterback still wears the yellow hospital bracelet given to him that day as a reminder to live life to its fullest – and enjoy the journey.

Newton says, “I want to make the most of things and appreciate the blessing that I have on any day.”

The quarterback is doing just that.

Newton has been more visible in public this offseason than ever, even after he signed a five-year, $103 million contract extension. He’s travelled Down Under to learn how the Australians play football, attended the Preakness Stakes and visited with grieving family members of the church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina.

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ENGLEWOOD, CO (AP) – Peyton Manning and Demaryius Thomas are on the field together for the first time in 201 days as the Denver Broncos kick off training camp.

Thomas skipped the Broncos’ offseason program in a contract stalemate before signing a five-year, $70 million deal earlier this month.

When Manning reported to camp he told the Broncos’ website he’s happy for Thomas, saying “he deserves his new contract. He’s earned every cent of it and I know he will continue to earn it over the course of his career.”

Thomas said his goal is to break the NFL’s single-season receiving record of 1,964 yards even though the Broncos are switching to Gary Kubiak’s two-tight end, run-heavy offense.

Kubiak said he loves that bravado.