Panthers QB Cam Newton

 

On why he did not start the game

“It came down to a dress code matter. I didn’t follow dress code, and coach told me that I wasn’t going to start, so I stand by his decision. The position that he’s in, I’ll follow it.”

On if the issue was specifically him not wearing a tie

“Yes, sir.”

On if, knowing team rules and being a team leader, he felt he let the team down

“Well, in a sense I did. But needless to say, I think there’s a lack there of communication on my part, and I think I have to be clearer moving forward, know what certain things are done.”

On if he felt he was dressed appropriately

“If coach doesn’t feel I was dress appropriate, then I wasn’t.

On if he brought a tie on this trip

“Well, when (you’re) 6-5, trying to get a shirt. I was a way from home for a week. I didn’t pack a shirt. It was a lot of ties that I was given, but I can’t wear a tie with this (a black turtleneck), meaning, I have a tank top on … We discussed it internally, me and coach, we got on the same page. I feel I wore a similar outfit as this before and nothing was done. But he said he has rules in place and we have to abide by them, and no person is greater than the next person and, you know, it is what it is.”

On if this happened before and nothing became of it, if the coach was trying to make an example of him or send a message

“I don’t know. Long story short, he has rules in place. In my opinion, it was a lack of communication, like I said, on my part, especially as a team captain, a person that I feel has his ear. I should have just cleared it first. By the time everything happened, it was just, I was off guard. Minutes prior to the bus leaving, I didn’t have nothing to change into to, as well as me and my size. There’s other people on the team. A person may be thinking, ‘Why didn’t you get somebody’s shirt on the team?’ We’d been in California for a week, and we shipped our clothes off. So that was the big no-no. But, we didn’t lose this game because of a tie, you know what I’m saying? It was a lot of execution errors, it was a lot of things that we had our opportunities, and we failed at it. As a team, we’re going to keep putting ourselves in this position if we don’t maximize the opportunities that we do get in the game.”

 

Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera

 

Can you explain your decision to not start Newton?

“It was a travel code violation. The decision was to treat him like I do all the other players and he didn’t start.”

There was a report that Newton didn’t wear a necktie …

“I’m not going to get into what our dress code is. I just explained to you why I did it. I’m not going to get into it. We’re moving on and were going to talk about the football game.”

Was this solely your decision?

“Yes, my decision. Completely my decision. The decision was made because I treat them all the same.”

Just one incident?

“Yes.”

When did you make the decision to bench him?

“I made the decision not to start him after I found out the infraction.”

Was it going to be one series?

“Yes, but I didn’t anticipate the series being one play.”

What does that say to you that Cam is a team leader and he violated a rule?

“I’m not getting into it. I told you. Okay? I made a decision; it’s a decision that I treat everybody the same way.”

 

Panthers QB Derek Anderson

 

On if he spoke to Newton about the situation before the game

“We sat down last night and had a good chat. You know, obviously I’m behind him 100 percent. Unfortunate situation but we’re moving on. Ron handled it and we have a lot of things to correct. Coach already addressed it. I’m not going to talk any more about it. It is over with. We addressed it as a team.”

 

Panthers TE Greg Olsen

 

On Newton’s disciplinary incident

“Ron handles those things. It was addressed as a team. Cam addressed it, and we are moving on. Obviously it wasn’t the start to the game we were all anticipating.”

 

Panthers WR Ted Ginn Jr.

 

On having Newton out for the first play of the game

“I don’t want to talk about that.”

 

Seahawks DE Cliff Avril

 

On if he’s ever heard of a player being benched because of a dress code violation

“I’ve never heard of a coach sitting you down for a dress code. That’s a little too strict I think, but that’s not my coach.”

On Cam not starting because he didn’t wear a tie

“I guess if you’re going to make an example, make an example out of your starting quarterback. That’s weird.”