The Panthers' offense took the field Sunday night for its opening drive against the Seahawks without the reigning NFL MVP.
Derek Anderson was under center to start the game for the Panthers instead of Cam Newton. As if that wasn't strange enough, Anderson's pass to Mike Tolbert on the first play from scrimmage bounced off the fullback's hands, resulting in an interception deep in Carolina territory. The turnover led to a Seahawks' field goal.
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There was no prior explanation for why Newton would not be starting, but reports on the reasoning behind the benching began to trickle out after the first drive.
According to Panthers radio, Cam Newton will not be starting tonight due to disciplinary reasons. Must have happened pre-game.
— Adam Johnson™ (@TigerPanthrHeat) December 5, 2016
Panthers' official says Cam Newton not starting was Ron Rivera's decision. He's healthy.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 5, 2016
Spoke w/Panthers PR man Steven Drummond. He says Cam Newton is healthy & this was a decision made by head coach Ron Rivera.
— Black & Blue Review (@BlackBlueReview) December 5, 2016
Newton took the field on the next drive, so clearly it was not a health issue. Panthers coach Ron Rivera will have some questions to answer after this one.
UPDATE: "Sunday Night Football" play-by-play man Al Michaels confirmed Rivera benched Newton for disciplinary reasons.
Per the @SNFonNBC broadcast, Cam Newton broke a "minor team rule" and was taken off the field the first play. The result was not good.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2016
At halftime, NBC's Michele Tafoya spoke with Rivera and reported that Newton sat because of a "dress code violation." Tafoya added that Rivera had "no regrets" about letting Anderson throw on the first play.
Cam Newton violated the team dress code by not wearing a tie, per source. #CARvsSEA
— Ashley Stroehlein (@ashstro) December 5, 2016
