Cam Newton does not get fined for giving little kids footballs

ByDavid Newton, ESPN Staff Writer ESPN logo
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton hands a touchdown ball to a fan in the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015.
AP Photo/Mike McCarn-AP

Let's end this nonsense once and for all: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton does not get fined by the NFL for giving kids a football after touchdowns.



It's pure fiction, despite this Facebook claim that Newton has been fined more than $250,000 since he started giving away footballs during his rookie season in 2011.





According to the league, a player can be fined for throwing a football into the stands. It happened this season to Philadelphia wide receiver Jordan Matthews, who was fined $5,787 for doing so during a Sunday night game against the Cowboys. This is done for crowd-control purposes, to prevent multiple fans from fighting over a ball.



Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints with fans in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27.
AP Photo/Mike McCarn


Fines do not apply to handing the football to a fan, which Newton does as part of his "Sunday Giveaway" program.



Rumors that suggest otherwise should end now.



Cam Newton looks to give a touchdown ball to a young fan after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015.
AP Photo/Bob Leverone


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