Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was involved in a couple of controversial plays during Sunday’s win over the Raiders.
Newton bumped referee Jerome Boger while getting up from being hit and arguing that there should have been a penalty on the Raiders on a fourth quarter play. Newton was flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct and, by rule, could have been ejected for making contact with an official.
Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reports that Newton apologized for the incident after the game and said he was caught up in the heat of the moment. Newton said he apologized to Boger on the field as well.
Earlier in the game, it appeared he kicked Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly while trying to get off the pile at the end of a play. Newton also addressed that play following the 17-6 win.
“I realize it looked like I kicked him, but I was just trying to get up as fast as I can to get to the next play,” Newton said, via Paul Gutierrez of CSNBayArea.com.
Newton will likely be fined for bumping Bolger, a rare black mark on what’s been a good run of play for Newton in the last few weeks.