The NFL has concluded that officials should have penalized the Arizona Cardinals for an illegal hit Sunday on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, a league source told ESPN’s Ed Werder.
The play in question, which Newton complained about after Carolina’s 30-20 victory, was a low hit by Arizona defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who dove at the reigning league MVP and hit him low while he was in the pocket.
Newton acknowledged Sunday that late hits like the one from Campbell are “taking the fun out of the game for me” and said he wants to speak with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about the issue.
Opponents haven’t received a roughing-the-passer penalty against Newton this season, except for one that was offset by an intentional grounding penalty in the season opener at Denver. This is despite Newton being hit an NFL-high 212 times during that span.
Information from ESPN.com contributed to this report.
