Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is right: Officials sometimes miss roughing the passer calls.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton also is incorrect: They don’t miss more roughing the passer calls for him than they do for other quarterbacks.
Per a source with knowledge of the league’s position on the matter, the NFL would contend (and likely will contend, if Newton follows through on his vow to speak to Commissioner Roger Goodell) that, as missed roughing calls go, he’s faring better than plenty of quarterbacks.
From the league’s perspective, the officials have missed three roughing calls on Cam since the start of the 2013 season. (Yes, that seems low.) Eleven other quarterbacks, by the league’s count, have had more missed roughing calls: Jay Cutler, Alex Smith, Geno Smith, Josh McCown, Andrew Luck, Matt Ryan, Kirk Cousins, Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger, Case Keenum, and Ryan Tannehill.
In the interests of clarity, PFT hasn’t reviewed the film or crushed the numbers or otherwise verified that those 11 quarterbacks have each had more missed roughing calls than Cam. Instead, that’s what the league would say to Cam.
Or, more accurately, what it will say to Cam if/when he shows up at 345 Park Avenue and asks for a meeting with the boss.