NFL admits referees missed roughing call for Cam Newton
On the same day Cam Newton reportedly talked to commissioner Roger Goodell about officiating concerns, NFL senior V.P. of officiating Dean Blandino admitted that a roughing flag should have been thrown on a low hit on Newton.
The play in question occurred in the third quarter of the Panthers’ 30-20 win over the Cardinals on Sunday. Defensive end Calais Campbell dove at Newton’s legs while the reigning MVP was throwing. Newton was down for several minutes but stayed in the game.
Blandino said a flag should have been thrown on the play.
"One (play) was a foul that we missed," Blandino said on “NFL Total Access” on Tuesday. "You can see Campbell coming up the middle and he's going to hit Cam in the knee area or below. Forcible contact driving through with the shoulder — that's a foul for roughing the passer. We want our referees to call that. We'll address that with the crew going forward."
After the game, Newton was upset about what he feels has been a lack of calls, leaving him to feel unsafe on the field.
“It’s really taking the fun out of the game for me,” Newton said Sunday. “At times I don't even feel safe. And enough is enough. I plan on talking to Commissioner Goodell about this. And I don't know what I have to do.”
Newton has been on the receiving end of a number of questionable hits this season but rarely has gotten a roughing call. Newton’s frustrations boiled over after Campbell’s hit.
“He could have torn my ACL,” Newton said of the play. “That’s the breaking point.”
