CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera expected a "feeding frenzy'' when he benched quarterback Cam Newton for the first series of Sunday's 40-7 loss at Seattle for violating a team travel dress code.
But Rivera said he remains comfortable with the decision, pointing out that he has disciplined other players in the past for similar offenses.
"I'm very comfortable with it,'' Rivera said on Monday. "The truth of the matter is I have to treat everybody the same. I really do. And that's all that was. There was no underlying message.