NFL
It’s the preseason, which means it’s time for teams to meet for the first time this season. Old teammates greeting each other during pre-game is a common scene during the preseason. For ex-Carolina Panther Kelvin Benjamin and current Panthers quarterback, Cam Newton, that wasn’t the case.
During pre-game warmups prior to the Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills game in Orchard Park, Newton approached Benjamin with a smile seeking a handshake. Benjamin was having absolutely none of it. Benjamin just stood and looked at him as he held his hand out. Newton, of course, took exception. Benjamin attempted to walk away, but Newton closely followed, attempting to talk to him to no avail.
Cam Newton shares words with Bill's Kelvin Benjamin video by @jsiner #keeppounding pic.twitter.com/THqZybFLpg
— Matt Walsh (@MWalshMedia) August 9, 2018
This all occurred today, just days after Benjamin explained in an interview with Tim Graham of The Athletic,
“It was a bad fit from the get-go. If you would’ve put me with any other quarterback, let’s be real, you know what I’m saying?”
It’s clear now that Benjamin was unhappy with his time in Carolina and in particular his time with Cam Newton. This is what he had to say after the game.
#Bills Kelvin Benjamin says he’s moving on after moving away from Cam Newton’s attempt to talk to him 90 minutes before kickoff pic.twitter.com/L0MVH8ImCT
— John Wawrow (@john_wawrow) August 10, 2018
Benjamin seemed very reluctant to speak about the situation in his postgame interview other than saying “I’m just moving on from him.”
Newton refused to speak to the media.
Benjamin’s Time In Carolina
Carolina drafted Benjamin in the first round of the NFL 2014 draft. His rookie year was very solid. He caught nine touchdowns and had over 1,000 receiving yards. After that, things went downhill. He then tore his ACL causing him to miss the entire 2015 season.
In 2016 his performance was less impressive than his rookie year. All of his stats dropped. He only had seven touchdown receptions and 941 yards that year which wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t playing to his potential.
In 2017 he only played 14 games, but his stats dropped dramatically. Most of the year he spent with the Panthers before he was sent to the Bills late in the regular season. In total, he caught three touchdowns and brought in 48 passes for 692 yards.
2018
This was the two teams’ only meeting of this year so we shouldn’t see too much between the two players for the remainder of this season. If Benjamin goes by his goal of “moving on” then we won’t see any communication, but you never know with social media. Social media is commonly used as communication between players these days.
