Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton Set to be Honorary Captains for Aflac Kickoff Game

ATLANTA (Aug. 24, 2026) – Officials today announced that Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III will serve as honorary captains for their respective alma maters at the 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game. Auburn’s honorary captain will be 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, while Baylor is set to be represented by 2011 Heisman Trophy recipient Robert Griffin III. 

The honorary captains will join the team captains at midfield for the pregame coin toss prior to the 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Sept. 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

This marks only the second time the Aflac Kickoff Game has had Heisman Trophy winners serve as honorary captains for both teams, and the first since Jameis Winston represented Florida State against Derrick Henry and Alabama in 2017. 

Cam Newton will represent Auburn after leading the Tigers to the program’s most recent national championship, an undefeated season capped off by a 22-19 victory over Oregon in the 2011 BCS title game. Newton became the third Auburn player to join the ranks as a Heisman Trophy winner in 2010, and did so in dominating fashion, throwing for 30 touchdowns and running for another 20. He left Auburn as the program’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback and his 30 passing scores also still stand as the single-season program record. Following his historic season at Auburn, Newton was selected first overall in the NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. His unprecedented dual-threat abilities translated to the professional ranks, where he broke the single-season rushing touchdown record for a quarterback in his first season en route to being named the 2011 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. In 2015, Newton enjoyed his best season as a professional, becoming the first Auburn alumnus to win NFL MVP honors after leading the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance. 

Baylor will have a Heisman Trophy winner of their own in attendance, as 2011 honoree Robert Griffin III will serve as honorary captain for the Bears. Griffin is a legend in Waco for his role in bringing Baylor football to national prominence. During his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign, Griffin led the Bears to their first 10-win season in more than 30 years, including their first home win over a top-five team since 1982. Much like Newton, Griffin captured the attention of the nation with his elite dual-threat abilities during his Heisman Trophy-winning season, rushing to for 10 touchdowns, while throwing for 37 and accounting for nearly 5,000 total yards. His 78 career passing touchdowns and 33 quarterback rushing touchdowns still stand as program records at Baylor. Following his historic season, Griffin became the highest drafted player in Baylor history when he went second overall to Washington. In his first season as a professional, he accounted for 27 touchdowns and more than 4,000 total yards, enough to be named the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.  

In recognition of the Aflac Kickoff Game’s “Kickoff for a Cause” mission — and September representing  Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — each honorary captain will be accompanied by a current or former Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta patient from the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, who is a fan of the teams playing in this year’s game. 

Now in its fourth year, the “Kickoff for a Cause” initiative has generated more than $1.2 million for childhood cancer research while reinforcing both organizations’ long-standing commitment to supporting children and families facing pediatric cancer.     

Aflac and Peach Bowl, Inc.’s “Kickoff for a Cause” initiative focuses on supporting research and treatment for childhood cancer. Since 1995, Aflac independent sales agents, employees and The Aflac Foundation, Inc. have given more than $200 million to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Peach Bowl, Inc. has donated more than $23.5 million to the Peach Bowl LegACy Fund, which currently supports 18 clinical drug trials for children.

The 24th edition of the nation’s longest-running kickoff game will feature only its second Big 12 vs. SEC matchup and its first in 12 years. Baylor is set to make its first-ever appearance in the game, while Auburn returns for its fourth trip. 

This year’s game represents only the sixth meeting between Baylor and Auburn on the gridiron, dating back to 1954. The all-time series is currently tied 2-2-1, including a 38-24 Auburn win over the Bears in their most recent matchup last season in Waco, Texas.