A week ago, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was benched for the first series of the game against the Seahawks for a uniform violation. Specifically, he didn't wear a tie -- apparently, it wasn't the first time -- and no player is bigger than the team, at least according to coach Ron Rivera.
So Cam sat and replacement Derek Anderson threw an interception on the very first offensive snap. It was a harbinger of things to come; the Panthers went on to lose, 40-7.
Fast-forward seven days and here's how Newton, restored to his rightful place atop the depth chart, looked when he met with reporters following the Panthers' 28-16 victory over the Chargers:
.@CameronNewton is at the podium for his postgame press conference
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 11, 2016
Watch LIVE: https://t.co/rNhR4X25ampic.twitter.com/anD8PCN2Lj
Do Millennials consider a bandana the same as a tie? Either way, the Panthers played at home, so a tie isn't required.
That doesn't excuse the rest of Newton's outfit, which, unsurprisingly, Twitter had some fun with.
THAT'S CRAZY.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 11, 2016
Cam Newton going with the Brian Fellows look this week. pic.twitter.com/zDDKy4KNzo
In case you're unfamiliar with the great Tracy Morgan character:
Then there's this prescient tweet from six days ago:
Cam Newton is gonna walk into this postgame press conference like pic.twitter.com/eWU8aXtcXS
— Will Dolinger (@willdolinger) December 5, 2016
Joey!
As our CBSSports.com co-worker Sean Wagner-McGough-- and one of the world's biggest Friends' fanatics -- reminds us, "In fairness to Joey, Chandler took the cushions to Joey's chair."
Newton has no such excuse.
why does cam newton look like a grandma who is really disappointed in your decisions pic.twitter.com/NHjv2YUyyw
— Jenna Smoot (@jennasmoot) December 11, 2016
There's more grandma-related humor!
You can call Cam Newton a fashion icon, but come on, the guy dresses like he got into a fight with my grandma's closet
— It Means No Corys (@Hanukkah_Matata) December 11, 2016
And, finally, the topical pop-culture reference:
Breaking: Cam Newton to make guest appearance on season 2 of #Westworld. pic.twitter.com/ji2diqH6SF
— Justin Nails (@justinnails) December 11, 2016