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If there was ever a way to get scolded for fashion choices20p Archives Cam Newton would surely figure out how.

The Carolina Panthers quarterback — whose fancy post-game attire defines him as much as his MVP-calibre skills on the field — was benched for the first play of Carolina's loss to Seattle on Sunday after violating the Panthers' dress code.

Newton didn't wear a tie on the team flight into Seattle because -- obviously -- it didn't go with his outfit.

Speaking to the media in the offending outfit after the 40-7 loss, Newton said he hadn't packed a collared shirt after being away from home for a week, and couldn't rock a tie over his turtleneck. (He also said he couldn't find a dress shirt to fit his frame on short notice, according to USA Today.)

"I can’t wear a tie with this," he told reporters during the post-game press conference.

So Panthers head coach Ron Rivera — who, like most NFL coaches, imposes a formal dress code for traveling — held Newton out of the lineup for a play. In his stead, backup quarterback Derek Anderson preceded to throw an interception on the first snap of the game.

Of course, it's unfair to peg the big loss on one play, but the Panthers have bigger issues than Newton's necktie. Carolina is 4-8 this year, bad enough for last place in the NFC South. That's a far cry from the team's 15-1 finish last season, culminating Super Bowl appearance last February.

Newton hasn't performed like a reigning MVP either, though his style has of course been consistently on point, including the unbelievable fox tail cleats he wore last month for warming up before Thursday night football.

What are Those? #camnewton #panthers pic.twitter.com/FypEBLjlNk

— Jeremy Igo (@CarolinaHuddle) November 17, 2016

Guys, I find it hard to believe #CamNewton would commit a dress code violation. #SEAvsCAR pic.twitter.com/pwr6VpF06S

— Melissa Luck ☘ (@MelissaKXLY4) December 5, 2016

Still, if Newton's style — and his lack of tie — is causing such a ruckus, it could be because his team has lost eight games, along with much of the buzz it had a year ago.

And that's not going to be fixed by a necktie.

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