Both Ron Rivera and Cam Newton have tried to shrug off criticism of the strict dress code policy that led to the reigning NFL MVP being benched for the beginning of a must-win Sunday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Ron Rivera says discipline for Cam Newton was not a big deal
Cam Newton and Ron Rivera both say the team’s dress code didn’t play a major factor in the Week 13 loss.
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Newton made the trip to Seattle without a tie on, which is against the team policy and resulted in him sitting for Carolina’s opening series. With Derek Anderson starting ahead of Newton, the Panthers fell into a 3-0 hole early after the backup threw an interception on his first pass.
“There was no underlying message, there was no feud,” Rivera said. “I think quite honestly it’s being made bigger than it really is. Again, all I did is treat a player like I treat any other player.”
Prior to the game, Rivera informed Newton that he wouldn’t start the game. Video of the conversation in front at the team bus was posted by TMZ on Monday, showing Newton looking a little puzzled by the news that he wouldn’t start the game. But after the game, Newton dismissed the notion that Rivera’s decision was the reason the Panthers lost.
“Long story short, he has rules in place,” Newton said of Rivera. “In my opinion, it was a lack of communication on my part, especially as a team captain, a person that I feel has his ear. I should’ve just cleared it first. But we didn’t lose this game because of a tie.”
Newton finished the game with 182 passing yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions, but it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome an avalanche of scoring by the Seahawks who buried the Panthers, 40-7.
With the loss, the Panthers fell to 4-8, essentially slamming the door shut on already-slim hopes at a late run at the postseason.
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