CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera says quarterback Cam Newton is a victim of his size when it comes to not getting calls on vicious hits as happened in Thursday night's NFL opener at Denver.
Replays showed Newton -- who is 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds -- received at least four helmet-to-helmet hits in the 21-20 loss to the Broncos. A penalty was called only on the last one as the NFL MVP tried to stage a game-winning drive.
That one was negated by an intentional grounding penalty on Newton.