You are not living in a fantasy world — Cam Newton really was disciplined for not wearing a tie to the Carolina Panthers’ game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Newton confirmed after the game that he committed a dress code violation and was benched for the team’s first series against Seattle. He was asked about the matter after the game and shared what happened.
“Long story short, (Coach Ron Rivera) has rules in place. In my opinion, it was a lack of communication on my part. Especially as a team captain, a person who I feel has his ear, I should have just cleared it first,” Newton said after the game.
“By the time everything happened, I was just off-guard with minutes prior to the bus leaving, and I didn’t have nothing to change into. We’ve been in California for a week and we shipped our clothes off. That was the big no-no. But we didn’t lose this game because of a tie.”
Newton’s Panthers played in Oakland the week before, so rather than travel back to Charlotte, they remained on the West Coast. Apparently that caused some trouble for Newton with his wardrobe.
“When you’re 6-foot-5, trying to get a shirt … you know, I was away from home for a week. I didn’t pack a shirt. There was a lot of ties I was given, but I can’t wear a tie with this,” Newton said, pointing out that he was wearing a turtleneck.
“We discussed it internally with me and Coach (Rivera). We got on the same page. I felt as if I wore a similar outfit like this before and nothing was done, but he has rules in place, and we have to abide by them. And no person is greater than the next person.”
Newton seemed to take responsibility for the matter, which is what you want out of a team leader. But what you really want is for the player not to commit the violation in the first place.
Below are videos of Newton talking about the tie:
Cam Newton broke team dress code rules of not wearing a tie to rock this sweet turtleneck. pic.twitter.com/ALFnZlEyNX
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) December 5, 2016
Cam Newton accepts the blame for his dress code violation.
[ESPN] #Panthers pic.twitter.com/2dKTBRfXUS
— Funhouse (@RNs_Funhouse) December 5, 2016
For the record, this is what Cam Newton wore on the flight Saturday and what he'll wear home to Charlotte tonight. pic.twitter.com/zlvsF3JwSU
— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 5, 2016
