Cam Newton gets a taste of Australian Rules Football (Photo)

Fresh off receiving a new $103 million contract in June, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is spending some off time in Australia before training camp begins later this month.

On Tuesday, Newton got a taste of Australian Rules Football with the Richmond Tigers and liked what he saw, though he admitted he knew nothing about the game prior to his trip.

“It’s a very cool sport,” Newton said, per the Herald Sun. “I knew nothing about ‘footy,’ as you guys call it. But no matter what sport you’re playing, no matter where you’re from, there’s so many similarities in sports as a whole.”

Newton was on hand to see Richmond knock off Greater Western Sydney on Saturday and was impressed with the physicality of the game.

“In our sport, they’re constantly putting things on you to protect you, but in this sport they’re taking things away,” Newton said. “I’m seeing guys get prepared and all they’re wearing in essence is a tank top and a pair of boxers and going out there and giving it all they have. That makes them courageous.”

Newton got to spend some time out on the practice field with the Tigers and the Panthers are probably relieved to see their star quarterback emerge unscathed.

- - - - - - -

Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper