When the Carolina Panthers took the field against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, Cam Newton wasn’t under center. Instead, backup Derek Anderson got the start.
Cam Newton doesn’t start vs. Seahawks for not wearing a tie
Derek Anderson got the start due a “dress code violation.”
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
Newton was benched to start the game due to disciplinary reasons after breaking a minor team rule, according to Al Michaels on the Sunday Night Football broadcast. At halftime, Michele Tafoya talked to Ron Rivera, who confirmed Newton committed a dress code violation.
After the game, Rivera said that he benched Cam Newton in the interest of being fair.
Newton confirmed that he was specifically benched for not wearing a tie.
“Coach has rules in place and we have to abide by them,” Newton said, according to Max Henson of Panthers.com.
On Anderson’s very first pass of the game, fullback Mike Tolbert bobbled the ball into the hands of Seahawks outside linebacker Mike Morgan.
Seattle was able to turn the pick into a field goal, taking a 3-0 lead a little over a minute and a half into the game.
Despite Anderson’s interception, Rivera said he had “no regrets” about sitting Newton at the start of the game.
Newton entered the game on the Panthers’ second series.
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