Cam Newton

We witnessed one of the more bizarre benchings in the NFL on Sunday night when Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was benched at the start of the game for not wearing a tie with his travel attire.

Ron Rivera decided to play the ultimate coach card and bench his franchise QB for this minor violation of the team dress code, which seems so silly on the surface. But when things are not going well for your team, Rivera is charged with finding a way to restore order every way he can. Not wearing your tie? Sit your butt on the bench.

While I cannot confirm that is the exact conversation Rivera had with Newton getting off the team bus in Seattle, I’d like to think that is how the conversation went down.

TMZ managed to acquire a video of the exact moment it is suspected Ron Rivera informed Newton of the benching.

As you can tell by Newton’s reaction, he was in disbelief. We all were, Cam. We all were.

[TMZ Sports]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.