Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has taken big strides for his team on the field this season. More importantly, Newton spent Monday helping hungry kids take big strides off of it, just as he has every year since he entered the NFL via the first pick of the first-round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Newton, now in his fifth season out of Auburn, held is annual Thanksgiving Jam on Monday night, helping to feed 900 hungry kids in the Charlotte area.

Newton even put on a "dab" contest for the kids.

Newton has faced criticism over his maturity, or perceived lack thereof, throughout the early portion of his professional career. But, despite some on-field hiccups, he's been a strong presence in the community since the day he joined the Panthers.

With the Carolina team now looking like one of the best in the league and Newton playing like one of the best - if also most unorthodox - signal-callers in the NFL - the Thanksgiving Jam came only a day after Newton tossed 21 completions on 34 attempts for 246 yards and five touchdowns for a passer rating of 123.3 - Newton's national and international notoriety will only continue to grow.

Still, it's Newton's work off the field in the Charlotte community, that's most meaningful and will speak to his legacy long after his playing days are over.

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