Source: Gregg DeGuire / Getty
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton did not start yesterday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks for disciplinary reasons. Coach Ron Rivera’s said that it was a travel dress code violation. Rivera said it was solely his decision and it was his intention to “treat him like I do all the other players on the team.” The violation was reportedly for not wearing though Rivera won’t confirm. Derek Anderson started in place of Newton and on the first play of the game, threw a pass that bounced off the hands of fullback Mike Tolbert resulting in an interception by Seahawks linebacker Mike Morgan. Rivera said that he intended to bench Newton for one series but, “…didn’t anticipate the series lasting one play.”
This was the first time in Newton’s six-year NFL career that he didn’t start a game for a reason other than injury.
