Panthers' Brian Burns: Comment from Bucs O-lineman sparked punch

TAMPA, Fla. -- Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Burns said the frustration of the Carolina Panthers' one-win season and an inflammatory comment from a Tampa Bayoffensive lineman in the second quarter led him to throw a punch that got him ejected late in the third quarter of Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Buccaneers.

Burns made it clear the comment didn't come from Bucs guard Cody Mauch, the recipient of his right-handed punch to the helmet with 5:04 left in the third quarter.

He repeatedly said the same thing when asked if what was said in the second quarter was a racial slur.

"It was something he shouldn't have said,'' Burns said.

Asked how much of what happened beyond what was said had to do with the team's now 1-11 record and being in the market for a head coach after Monday's firing of Frank Reich, Burns deadpanned, "All of it. It's a whole bunch of s---.''

Burns also was apologetic to his family, teammates and fans for his behavior that resulted in what he said was his first ejection at any level.

"Emotions got the best of me,'' the two-time Pro Bowl selection said. "One of their offensive linemen said something in the beginning that he shouldn't have said to me and my team. Ever since then I was pretty much on 10. I was mad."

The anger reached a boiling point while both teams waited for the officials to review whether Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans scored on a 75-yard touchdown on the first play after Carolina had taken a 10-7 lead.

"Some events happened,'' Burns said. "We got scored on. The game wasn't going my way. Initially, it wasn't even my fight. I just got pushed and I turned around and reacted. I take full accountability for my actions. I can't do that.''

Evans' play that initially was ruled out of bounds short of the goal line eventually was ruled a touchdown to give the Bucs a 14-10 lead.

By then Burns had taken the swing at Mauch and had been escorted off the field with his helmet in hand.

"Once I punched him I knew what was going to happen after that," Burns said. "I got to control my actions. That thing that happened early and the course of events that happened afterwards kind of made my reaction what it was."

Asked again if the second-quarter comment was a racial slur, Burns repeated, "Didn't I say he shouldn't have said it?''

Interim coach Chris Tabor said only that Burns "knows better than that," he'll address it with the team and move on.

Burns is in the last year of his rookie deal and seeking a long-term contract with the Panthers. Negotiations have been on hold since the start of the season with the sides far apart, a league source told ESPN.

Asked earlier this week if the firing of Reich and the team's record impacted his desire to stay with Carolina long-term, Burns smiled and didn't give a direct answer.

He said, however, "I still believe in this team."