Cam Newton didn’t show up for the first offensive play of the game.
Then the Carolina Panthers didn’t show up for the rest of it, getting blasted 40-7 by Seattle in an embarrassing performance that featured their star quarterback getting publicly disciplined for a wardrobe malfunction.
A healthy Newton did not run out with the offense for the game’s first play — NBC’s Michele Tafoya reported on its telecast he was benched for a dress-code violation — and the Seahawks started piling on immediately. Derek Anderson threw a pass on that play and was intercepted when the ball glanced off Mike Tolbert’s hands.