Panthers Legend Calls Out Officiating After Panthers’ Win: “Dallas Deserved Better Tonight”

Panthers Legend Calls Out Officiating After Panthers’ Win: “Dallas Deserved Better Tonight”

Cam Newton has never been afraid to speak his mind — and even after a Panthers win, he didn’t hold back.

Following Carolina’s 30–27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the former MVP and franchise icon raised eyebrows with his postgame comments about the officiating crew.

“Look, I’m proud of my guys — that’s family, that’s Carolina,” Newton said on his weekly podcast 4th & 1. “But if we’re keeping it real… some of those calls? They changed the whole game. Dallas played harder and probably deserved better tonight.”

His remarks added fuel to a conversation already heating up across the league.
Cowboys fans have spent the past 24 hours dissecting several questionable calls — or no-calls — that appeared to swing momentum toward the home team.

Among the most disputed moments:

• A missed holding on Ikem Ekwonu during a crucial fourth-down conversion.

Newton, who’s been both on the winning and losing end of controversial officiating, made it clear he wasn’t trying to take away from Carolina’s effort — just calling for fairness.

“I know what it feels like when the whistle don’t go your way,” he continued. “All I’m saying is, the league gotta make it consistent. You can’t have one team getting all the breaks just ‘cause they’re at home.”

The Cowboys finished with 10 penalties for 102 yards, while the Panthers were flagged just 4 times for 35 — a gap that only intensified the scrutiny.

For Newton, it wasn’t about stirring drama — it was about integrity.

“I love this game too much to see it decided by yellow flags,” he said. “Carolina got the win, but Dallas didn’t lose because they didn’t fight. Sometimes, it’s bigger than the scoreboard.”