Cam Newton is one of the biggest quarterbacks in the National Football League. The Carolina Panther QB also has a reputation for racking up rushing yards and taking (sometimes) unnecessary risks outside the pocket. Newton’s style of play makes him vulnerable and puts a target on his back making himself fair game for hard hits. While Newton understands the risk he’s taking when running the ball, what he doesn’t understand is why some defenders are getting away with cheap shots on him.
This season, Newton has expressed his frustration with the referees more than usual, both during games and in press conferences. He’s said that the game isn’t as fun for him anymore because he basically doesn’t feel safe on the field anymore. Whether it’s his own fault for running beyond the protection of the offensive line or the ref’s missed calls, or even a combination of the two is up for discussion.
In one particular hit he suffered in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, the refs failed to call a penalty on defensive tackle Calais Campbell who hit Newton in the knee in the third quarter (which he was fined more than $18,000 for). When asked about the hit to his knee, he said, “I could have torn my ACL. That was the breaking point.”
Newton hopes that breaking point will lead him to Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office. He intends to meet with the commissioner to discuss why he isn’t being protected by the refs as much as other quarterbacks in the league are.
It’s obvious that Newton is becoming more comfortable voicing his feelings and concerns and it’s apparent that he won’t stop addressing them publicly until something changes.
