By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Cam Newton had a strong start to his Patriots debut, and it seemed like he sent the Dolphins to the boiling point.
Just as the clock ran out on the Patriots’ season-opening win over Miami, Newton had an altercation with Dolphins players in which it appeared defensive tackle Christian Wilkins tried to rip the chain off his neck. Tensions ran high and Newton had to be separated from the antagonists on the Dolphins’ side.
The Dolphins’ behavior was emblematic of their lack of discipline during the game, as they committed three personal fouls as a team.
Newton was asked about the altercation and confirmed that the Dolphins did not, in fact, snatch the chain right off his neck.
“I still got my chain, I got two of them,” Newton said (via Mike Reiss). “They were reaching for my chain, though. They were reaching for my chain. And I think that kind of got up under my skin. But yeah, man, through it all, listen – I do not want nothing taken away from a great team game that we did have. And I don’t want to be selfish to focus or kind of dwell on that.”
Cam Newton was impressive on the ground in his Patriots debut against the Dolphins. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Ultimately, the much different-looking Patriots offense was explosive on the ground, and efficient and mistake-free through the air. Newton was the engine behind it all. And he got to keep his chains, too.
MORE: Cam Newton ‘Up’ In Patriots’ Win Over Dolphins
“I don’t disrespect nobody, and I wouldn’t want anybody to disrespect me,” Newton said. “But yet at the end of the day, we got the thing that was most valuable today, and that’s the win.”
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff or send him a nasty email at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.