Cam Newton Was Benched On Sunday For Not Wearing A Tie

In the NFL, winning isn’t everything. At least not for Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera. For him, winning is OK and all, but not if it’s done at the expense of appropriate neckwear. Appropriate neckwear is a higher power, and it’s one that will be obeyed at all costs. Even if—especially if—the cost is your star quarterback. The big NFL news today should probably be that the Detroit Lions might actually make the playoffs this year. But no one cares about that. Instead the headlines have been dominated by a tie. Or, more accurately, a lack of one. Last night, after Carolina’s loss to Seattle, Panthers quarterback and reigning MVP Cam Newton revealed that he was benched because he didn’t wear a tie while traveling to the game.”It came down to a dress code matter,” Newton told the press. “I didn’t follow dress code and coach told me I wasn’t going to start. I stand by his decision.” Here at Esquire we’re a little torn over the matter. While we commend that level of commitment to sartorial excellence, we’re also kind of thinking: Dude, it’s a tie. Read more at Esquire.