Protecting his turf: Cam Newton, leaving the field after warm ups, ripped down a huge Packers banner that fans hung over the front-row wall.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) November 8, 2015
Cam Newton noticed a Packers banner flying by the locker room entrance to the field today, and didn’t much like the thought of his stadium being referred to as Packers country. Speaking after the game, the Panthers QB said:
“We take pride in having an edge in playing in Bank of America Stadium, of playing in front of the Carolinas each and every week,” Newton said. “I feel it’s my due diligence to protect this house. It wasn’t just about tearing down a sign. It was respect.”
Which is cool! It’s great to see athletes take real pride in the teams and communities they play for and show that they appreciate the advantage hometown fans can create. Sure, it’s a bit of a jerk move to pull on a fan who took the time to show his support of the road team, but come on, it’s sports. There are always going to be some heckling between fans. I bet he trashed that banner good, ruining all the hard work that went into it!
I went to see if Cam tossed banner in trash. Nope. Security guard told me he folded it up, put under arm & walked into locker room with it.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) November 8, 2015
Oh. He didn’t even destroy the banner! Ever the professional, Cam took it down gently and saved it, in case the owner wants it back. And apparently he does!
Owner of Greenbay banner that Panthers QB Cam Newton snatched has reported theft to cops. Details soon at https://t.co/09GW9GRumb
— The Fayetteville Observer (@fayobserver) November 9, 2015
According to the Fay Observer, the banner belonged to fan Mike Dobs, a Packers fan who had originally had the banner made to hang as decoration in his “man room” back home.
“I was just shocked, shocked,” when Newton grabbed the banner out of his and his family’s hands, Dobs said on Sunday evening.
Dobs was so incensed that the banner was taken he reported it as stolen at the stadium and though he heard the banner was destroyed, the Panthers organization has promised to make it up to him.
Come on, man, have some fun with this! An NFL quarterback took down your sign at the game, treated your handiwork well, and everyone gets to see that you’re the fan who riled up Cam Newton all because you showed your support for the Packers on the road. I’m sure Cam and the Panthers will make it up to you and in the meantime, you’ve got the story of the season to tell your friends.
