Report: Cardinals’ Campbell fined by NFL for hit on Cam Newton
Nov 2, 2016, 1:50 PM | Updated: 5:01 pm
Arizona Cardinals' Calais Campbell (93) defends as Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Campbell hit Newton after the throw, which Newton felt was an illegal hit that wasn't called. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Remember that hit Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell put on Panthers QB Cam Newton in the third quarter of last Sunday’s 30-20 loss? You know, the one that was not penalized but led to Newton going off on the lack of penalties he draws after the game?
Turns out he had a legitimate complaint, as on Tuesday, the NFL’s vice president of officiating Dean Blandino told the NFL Network that a roughing the passer penalty should have been called on the play.
With that being the case, Campbell, who put the hit on Newton, is now set take a hit to his bank account.
According to USA Today’s Jarrett Bell, on Wednesday Campbell was fined $18,000 by the NFL for the play.
Campbell is appealing the sanction, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the case.
Campbell appeared to apologize to Newton after the play, and on Monday Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, in saying he does not think Newton has a case with regards to not feeling protected, said he was not sure if it should have been a penalty.
“I thought Calais hit him low,” he said. “Whether he was blocked into him or not, that’s up to the officials to decide.”
NFL rules dictate no defensive player who has a clear path to the quarterback can hit him around the knees or below when approaching in any direction, though a penalty should not be called if the player is blocked into the QB.
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