Let's break down the latest drama surrounding the Carolina Panthers piece-by-piece:
1.) On the eve of a Week 14 home game with the Falcons, Panthers' secondary coach Steve Wilks introduced a new motivational tool. Figuratively hitting a home run wasn't all that unique, but his guys bought into what the black baseball bat represented that night.
2.) During player introductions the following afternoon, defensive back Bené Benwikere carried the bat as he walked out of the tunnel. He took a mock swing and then held it during the national anthem. The bat spent the rest of the game on the bench.
3.) Benwikere broke his left leg in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' blowout win.
4.) After the game, I asked cornerback Josh Norman what the bat symbolized.
"We were going to hit and stick everything we see," he said. "We get a big play; we're going to try to get a home run."
5.) With 'Big Play Bene' staying back in Charlotte, the Panthers brought the bat up north with them this weekend.
6.) The bat made an appearance ahead of Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium.
7.) Norman and Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. combined for five personal fouls in what was the NFL's ugliest one-on-one battle in recent memory.
8.) All hell broke loose Monday afternoon.
I'm told Norman was swinging a baseball bat on the sideline during pre-game warmups + got the attention of players on the field.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) December 21, 2015
As of a couple minutes ago, the #Giants and @NFL were trying to make sense of why Josh Norman was carrying a black bat on the field pregame
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2015
Sources say Beckham and the other player got into it after a threat to end his day was made. Panthers say no threat was made
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 21, 2015
In pregame warmups, at least one Panthers official, and possibly more, carried black baseball bats on to the field and...
Posted by Adam Schefter on Monday, December 21, 2015
Apparently Marcus Ball, a #Panthers practice squad player, was holding a bat pregame. He had to be separated from Odell Beckham pregame.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2015
Come on now my boys carry the bat with them as it symbolizes my presence still being with them at the game and the NFL has a problem???
— Bené Benwikere (@BigPlayBene) December 21, 2015
Coaches and players in every sport use objects as symbols of motivation the bat is a symbol pic.twitter.com/kPGvaHQuHK
— Bené Benwikere (@BigPlayBene) December 21, 2015