Cam Newton has been abused by defenders all season, and yet somehow NFL officials are reluctant to blow their whistle for roughing penalties that would be called for almost any other in the NFL. Tonight was another one of those instances.
During the Panthers MNF game against the Redskins, Newton took a helmet-to-helmet shot from Washington’s Trent Murphy while he was sliding. The ref tosses his flag in the air, but there was no penalty on Murphy – but rather Newton.
Officials hit the QB with a taunting call for gently tossing the ball in disgust at Murphy immediately after the play.
Cam Newton’s head to head hit. #MNF pic.twitter.com/l6QmscHENN
— Alec Sills-Trausch (@UofAlec) December 20, 2016
Now, the issue is not with Newton or the tackle, but the hypocrisy of the no-call. In no circumstances can referees throw a flag for a late hit out of bounds on Kirk Cousins later in the same game (who noted, was still in bounds) yet condone the hit to Newton after preaching player safety all season.
One day Cam Newton is gonna die on the field & get called for delay of game
— Negus (@TheyCallMeAzul) December 20, 2016
At this point Cam Newton could get shot on the field and they’d flag him for interfering with the bullet.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) December 20, 2016
These refs are a complete joke. Cam Newton gets hit as he slid. No penalty… but Cam got flagged for taunting?! Give me a break. Awful.
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) December 20, 2016
Once again Cam doesn’t get what should have been an easy call..
— trey wingo (@wingoz) December 20, 2016
NFL officials literally hate @CameronNewton
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) December 20, 2016
