Panthers’ Newton won’t worry about head shots
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said he’s not worried about the long-term effects of repeated hits to his head.
The league Most Valuable Player took four helmet-to-helmet shots in Carolina’s 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos, although only one of the hits drew a flag.
Despite the well-publicized effects of repeated concussions to players, Newton said his focus is solely on winning games.
“That’s it, winning,” Newton said when asked about his long-term health. “I’m not here to worry about retirement plans. I’m not here to worry about pensions. I’m not here to worry about worker’s [compensation]. I’m here to win football games, simple and plain.”
Newton added, “This is a contact sport. This is a physical sport. I play the game for the right reasons. Whatever Coach asks me to do, I’m going to do it to win football games.”
Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall was fined $24,309 and former Ravens safety Darian Stewart $18,231 for helmet-to-helmet hits on Newton. Neither player was suspended.
“I’ll do it again,” Marshall declared shortly after saying he’ll fight his fine.
“I’m not going to change the way I play the game,” Stewart said.
Newton had no reaction to the fines, saying there’s “no need to look back.”
Tonight’s staff picks
JETS@BILLS Jen Badie: Bills Mike Preston: Jets Mark Selig: Jets Edward Lee: Bills Peter Schmuck: Bills Childs Walker: Bills Jeff Zrebiec: Jets League addressing concussions: The league announced that it will spend an additional $100 million to develop new technology and support more medical research into the growing problem of head injuries. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the “Play Smart. Play Safe” initiative in an open letter. Under the initiative, $60 million will be devoted to developing technology such as improved helmets and $40 million will be allotted for medical research. There will be four pillars to the program: protecting players, advanced technology, medical research and sharing progress with the public. Forbes valuations: Forbes’ annual valuation of NFL teams has the Cowboys again at the top, rating the franchise to be worth $4.2 billion. The Patriots ($3.4 billion), Giants ($3.1 billion), 49ers ($3.0 billion) and Redskins ($2.95 billion) round out “I’m not here to worry about retirement plans,” Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said when asked about his long-term health. Forbes’ top five. The Ravens are 14th at $2.3 billion. The Bills have the lowest team worth at $1.5 billion. Bosa misses practice: Rookie Joey Bosa missed Wednesday’s padded practice, increasing the likelihood that he’ll miss the Chargers’ home opener against the Jaguars on Sunday.
Bosa is slowed by a hamstring injury and still hasn’t gone through a padded practice with the Chargers, who took him with the No. 3 pick overall in the draft. He missed all of training camp because of a holdout and sat out Sunday’s loss at Kansas City.
Coach Mike McCoy said he couldn’t give a “great update until he’s out here in pads.” Wednesday was the Chargers’ only practice in pads this week. Extra points: Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) returned to limited practice. … Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford took all first-team snaps in practice, but coach Mike Zimmer declined to name a starter. … Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls will start against the Rams on Sunday. … Packers cornerback Sam Shields remains in concussion protocol, coach Mike McCarthy said. … Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles worked with the scout team. Coach Andy Reid said, “Every day he gets a little bit better.”