SEATTLE -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was held out of the opening series of Sunday night's 40-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks due to a dress code violation.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said after the game that Newton committed "a travel dress code violation," adding that he made the decision to treat Newton "like I do all the other players on the team, and he didn't start."
"I didn't follow dress code and coach told me I wasn't going to start. I stand by his decision," said Newton, who confirmed that the specific violation was that he was not wearing a tie on the team flight from San Jose to Seattle on Saturday.