Can Superman Cam Get a Flag
posted by Daniel Martin | December 18, 2016 | In Opinion, SportsCarolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has had one tough season following his Super Bowl run last year. Now, I am not the biggest supporter of Cam Newton; quite frankly, I’m not even a fan. I do, however, agree with him on one thing: he is not getting the same calls as other quarterbacks in the NFL.
When the season opened, Newton was clearly getting knocked around and taking some vicious head shots. Fans sat and waited for a flag that never came and wondered how that was possible. It was really scary seeing Newton stay on the ground and appear to be visibly shaken when he got to his feet.
The lack of flags was not confined to the first game, though; he has been getting the same treatment week in and week out. That hit that finally forced Newton to talk to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was against the Arizona Cardinals when he took a hit below the knees with no call.
To some, it looked as if Newton was complaining. NFL Hall of Famers Kevin Greene and Brett Favre both stated that he needed to stop complaining about late hits in the pocket. This was quite baffling since Favre, of all people, knows what it is like to take a late hit that could end a season or career. Who could forget his final game with the Vikings in the playoffs? It was a late hit that all but ended his career.
Newton has a valid gripe. There is no reason that he should be taking the hits he is taking, especially to his head, without getting so much as a finger lifted towards a flag. Fans, family, and teammates alike should not have to watch their franchise quarterback slowly get up or removed from a game. Newton has even had to miss one game due to concussion protocol.
The referees have to do better with protecting all players. In the past, NFL referees have thrown flags, ejected players, fined players, and even suspended players for less. Ndamukong Suh comes to mind. I will never forget the suspension he received for stepping on Aaron Rodgers’ leg during a game a couple of years ago. Suh got suspended for unintentionally stepping on a leg and was flagged, yet Newton can’t get a flag for a hit to his head or a hit below his knees.
Something has to change before a serious injury happens to Newton or his bright career gets prematurely cut short. At the end of the day, while I may not be a fan, that doesn’t mean I want to see him carted off the field.
Cam Newton was quoted saying “Enough is enough,” and, “It’s not fun, and I don’t know what I have to do.” I couldn’t agree with him more.
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