Cam Newton Cites Injury Risk For Not Trying To Recover Fumble With Super Bowl Hanging In Balance

(CBS) Two days after he abruptly ended his Super Bowl postgame press conference without an explanation for a lack of effort on a pivotal play, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton cited injury risk as to why he didn't attempt to recover the crucial fumble in the fourth quarter of the 24-10 loss to the Broncos.

On third-and-9 from his team's own 25-yard line with 4:04 left and the Panthers trailing 16-10, Newton had the ball stripped by Broncos edge rusher Von Miller. Newton had the opportunity to pounce on the ball, but he elected not to. Denver instead fell on the fumble and punched in the game-sealing touchdown a few plays later.

"OK. I didn't get the fumble, but we can play tit for tat," Newton said, according to the Charlotte Observer. "I've seen numerous quarterbacks throw interceptions and their efforts afterwards … they don't go. I don't dive on one fumble because the way my leg was, it could have been (contorted) in a way."

Below is a look at the play. Had Newton recovered the ball, the Panthers could've punted and perhaps had another chance at victory if their defense had forced a quick Broncos punt, which they'd been doing almost the entire evening.

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• Cam Newton
• Denver Broncos
• Carolina Panthers