DENVER (AP) – The start of a new season rekindled some old – and troubling – issues for the NFL.
Nobody could attest to that better than Cam Newton.
The Carolina Panthers quarterback was victimized by helmet-to-helmet hits at least three times in a 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. Net result of those hits: Zero penalty yards.
The Super Bowl rematch was every bit as good as promised – it came down to a last-second field goal attempt – but it was a brutal affair that put Newton, Broncos receiver Jordan Norwood and linebacker Brandon Marshall in evaluation for concussions. None were held out.
“It’s not fun getting hit in the head,” said Newton, who threw for 194 yards, one interception and a touchdown. “But we didn’t lose the game off that.”