NFL admits to missing call on Cam Newton hit

Cam Newton left the Panthers’ 21-20 loss to the Broncos in a lot of pain. The NFL admits that they messed up on a crucial call.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took quite a beating in the NFL regular season opener against the Denver Broncos. Linebacker Brandon Marshall joined in on his team’s efforts to stop the reigning MVP once again after smothering him in the Super Bowl. Marshall used his helmet to bring Newton down on a crucial fourth-quarter drive, but no penalty was called.
However, ESPN reports the NFL has since admitted a 15-yard penalty should have been called on the Broncos.

Panthers fans are sure to be angry with this admission. Although they will never know whether a helmet-to-helmet call would have affected the outcome, kicker Graham Gano would have had a much easier field goal try. He was forced to attempt to win the game with a 50-yard field goal. He missed after being iced on his first attempt by Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak.

Newton was clearly shaken toward the end of the game, and it didn’t help matters that he was already struggling throughout the second half. He never went through concussion protocol until after the game was over. The reigning NFL MVP has not publicly expressed his feelings on the matter. His father, Cecil, immediately jumped to his defense, though.

“I’m beginning to question the consistency of how games are being called — and who they would call this particular play against versus this particular player,” Newton said to ESPN. “Was Cam treated differently from other quarterbacks? In this case, yes, he was — clearly.”

The Panthers look to recover with their first win of the season in their next game. This should not be a problem for them since they will play their home opener against a rebuilding San Francisco 49ers team.