Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is expected to receive a substantial fine after he bumped an official during Sunday's game against Oakland, according to a report from Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Cam Newton bumps ref: NFL reviewing, fine expected
Carolina quarterback Cam Newton is excepted to be fined after bumping an official during Sunday’s game.
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The incident occurred during the second half against the Raiders when after being sacked, Newton kicked Oakland defensive tackle Tommy Kelly. Newton then got up and appeared to be angry at referee Jerome Boger that no flag was thrown against Kelly. While arguing, Newton initiated contact with Boger, bumping him with his chest.
Newton was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty for the incident. Newton, however, was not ejected despite NFL rules saying a player will automatically be ejected for making contact with an official. He apologized for the incident after the game and said he apologized to Boger during the game. Boger explained after the game why he flagged but did not eject Newton. From the Contra Costa Times:
Referee Jerome Boger told a pool reporter he “misspoke” when announcing that Newton was being penalized for contact. He said Newton was instead penalized for “disrespectfully addressing an official” and that the contact “was not of a malicious nature.”
According to La Canfora’s report, the NFL will review the incident and while Newton is likely to receive a substantial fine, he is not expected to be suspended.
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