Georgia is honoring native son and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton with a day of festivities that included a stop at the state Capitol.
The General Assembly presented the quarterback with resolutions recognizing his athleticism at Auburn University, where he led his team to the BCS Championship earlier this year, and at Westlake High School in College Park.
Flanked by his parents and his high school coaches, Newton told lawmakers that he was a proud product of Atlanta and the state.
Several legislators praised Newton as a positive role model, citing his faith, character and his prowess on the football field, and wished him success in his imminent professional football career.
Newton posed for pictures with eager fans before heading to a homecoming celebration in south Fulton County.
In Fulton, county commissioners will be hosting a "Welcome Home" celebration Saturday.
Newton, who led the Auburn Tigers to the 2010 Southeastern Conference and BCS national championships, will be honored at 10 a.m. at the Southwest Arts Center Performance Theater at 915 New Hope Road.
Participating in the celebration will be the quarterback's former coaches at Westlake High in College Park as well as various elected officials from the south Fulton community.
Newton declared for the NFL draft after his one season at Auburn. He originally signed with the Florida Gators in 2007. He transferred to Blinn College, a junior college, in 2009 before transferring to Auburn in 2010.
Staff writer Mike Morris and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
