CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Julius Peppers claimed he was unaware of Cam Newton’s tradition of giving a touchdown ball to a kid in the stands.
So after the Green Bay Packers linebacker ripped the ball out of Newton’s hand and whipped it toward the sideline after the Carolina Panthers quarterback scored on a 1-yard run during Sunday's game, Peppers said it had nothing to do with preventing Newton’s usual celebration.
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Peppers said after the Packers' 37-29 loss on Sunday.
Newton chased the ball down and still managed to deliver it to a young fan in the stands.
What asked about what Peppers did, Newton said: “My name is Cam Newton. I don’t know. I can’t speak for him.”
It was an emotion-filled game, from that play to the sideline altercation between members of the Packers’ defense to Newton tearing down a Packers banner at Bank of America before the game.
