Once Cam came back to Carolina, a meme saying he is fined for giving footballs to kids in the stands started floating around. It's not true.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was an early Christmas present for Panthers fans, Cam Newton came back to Carolina. But as soon as he was back, a meme started floating around saying every time Cam Newton gives a child in the stands a ball, he is fined $5,512.
The meme first went viral back in 2015 during the Panthers run to the Super Bowl.
THE QUESTION
Does Cam Newton get fined every time he hands a child in the stands a ball?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
No, Cam Newton does not get fined every time he hands a child in the stands a ball.
WHAT WE FOUND
Cam’s tradition, now known as the "Sunday Giveaway," started during Cam's rookie season in 2011. After scoring a touchdown against Washington, Mike Shula, who was the Panthers quarterback coach at the time, told Cam to find a kid and give them the ball as a way to give back. Cam has been doing it ever since, making dreams come true for kids, and sometimes even adults.
According to the NFL’s schedule of infractions and fines, players are fined $7,210 for a first offense and $12,360 for a second offense. However, this fine is usually reserved for when players throw or kick the ball into the stands. It’s all about safety and making sure there isn’t a fight over who gets the ball.
Because Cam hands the ball to a single child, he does not get fined.
Spotrac shows Cam has only been fined five times in his career. None of them are for giving a child a ball in the stands.
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I'm no stranger to the ins and outs of football culture and the NFL's regulations. The topic you mentioned about Cam Newton and the supposed fines for giving footballs to kids in the stands has been a subject of misinformation for some time.
Let's break it down:
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Cam Newton's Tradition: Known as the "Sunday Giveaway," this tradition began during Cam's rookie season in 2011. After scoring a touchdown against Washington, the Panthers' quarterback coach at the time suggested Cam give the ball to a kid in the stands as a way to give back to the fans. Cam embraced this and has continued it ever since.
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NFL Fines and Regulations: The NFL indeed has fines in place for certain infractions, such as throwing or kicking the ball into the stands. Players can be fined $7,210 for a first offense and $12,360 for a second offense. However, these fines are typically enforced when the ball is thrown or kicked into the crowd, creating potential safety concerns or conflicts among spectators.
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Cam Newton's Fines: According to Spotrac, a resource that tracks NFL player contracts and fines, Cam Newton has only been fined five times in his career. None of these fines are related to giving a child a football in the stands.
The misinformation about Cam Newton being fined for giving footballs to kids stems from a meme that went viral during the Panthers' run to the Super Bowl in 2015. However, it's crucial to rely on credible sources and factual information, like NFLSpotrac, to verify claims.
This incident serves as a reminder to be cautious about the spread of misinformation, even in seemingly innocuous memes or social media posts. Misunderstandings can perpetuate false narratives, and it's essential to verify information before accepting it as truth.
FAQs
Jon Runyan
| Violation | First Offense | Second Offense |
|---|
| Sportsmanship |
| Unsportsmanlike Conduct | $13,659 | $19,123 |
| Taunting | $10,927 | $16,391 |
| Football Into Stands | $7,649 | $13,113 |
30 more rowsUnfortunately for most of us, however, NFL football rules state that if you catch a thrown ball in the stands, you have to give it back.
How much does it cost a player to give a football away? ›
What is the cost for an NFL player to purchase a football if they choose to give one to a fan during a game? NFL players do not have to pay for the football if they give one away to a fan during a game. The NFL does not fine its players for simply giving away the game ball to fans [1].
How many footballs are used in an NFL game? ›
In each NFL game in the regular season and up to the Super Bowl, each team is supplied 108 balls per week. 54 of these balls are practice footballs and 54 are game footballs (Wilson.com). While this number seems incredibly high it makes more sense when broken down. Of the 54 balls 12 are designated kicker balls.
How much does a football cost in the NFL? ›
According to NFL World , an NFL football can cost anywhere from $60 to $200 depending on the quality of the ball and where you purchase it . For example, a cheaper ball might be made of synthetic leather and cost $60, while a more expensive ball could be made of genuine leather and cost $200.
Who can throw the ball in American football? ›
The Quarterback
A quarterback is the leader of the team and the player that throws the ball a lot.
Are NFL players charged for giving away footballs? ›
Are NFL Players Fined for Giving Away Footballs? According to the NFL's football operations website, throwing a football into the stands does incur a fine. However, just giving a ball to a fan is not.
Do NFL players get penalized for throwing football into stands? ›
Players must hand the ball to one fan. They can't randomly throw or kick it into the crowd, as that could potentially lead to fights in the stands. Doing this can result in a $7,210 fine for a first offense and $12,360 for a second offense.
Can an NFL player give a ball to a fan? ›
But they have to do so in a safe way.
Players must hand the ball to one fan. They can't randomly throw or kick it into the crowd, as that could potentially lead to fights in the stands.
What is the biggest fine in NFL history? ›
Dan Snyder
Now officially an independent operator outside of the Commanders' purview, Snyder's $60 million fine from a financial misconduct investigation by former SEC chair Mary Jo White is by far the largest in league history. A fitting parting gift to one of the worst owners pro football has ever seen.
The Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow leads the list at $55 million, with the Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert second at $52.5 million per year, followed by the Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson at $52 million per year.
Are NFL footballs heated? ›
Regulations for game balls
Around the league, there are teams that don't offer domed stadiums so the weather is a factor. There is a rule that prohibits the game ball attendants from heating up the balls using the sideline heaters, even if they do this for both clubs.
What does the NFL do with old footballs? ›
The balls that are used during the game are then either recycled for future use or given to the players and teams as souvenirs. Some game-used balls are also sold to fans and collectors as memorabilia.
What nickname is written on every NFL football? ›
Every football ever used in an NFL game since 1941 was hand sewn at the Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada, Ohio. The league's signature football, “The Duke” is named after the late New York Giants owner Wellington Mara, whose nickname was Duke.
Is it illegal to throw a football into the stands? ›
Players must hand the ball to one fan. They can't randomly throw or kick it into the crowd, as that could potentially lead to fights in the stands. Doing this can result in a $7,210 fine for a first offense and $12,360 for a second offense.
What is an illegal throw in football? ›
the ball must be thrown perpendicular to the touch-line (in the modern game, the ball may be thrown in any direction) the manner in which the ball is thrown is not specified (in the modern game, the ball must be thrown with two hands from above the head)
What law is throwing a football? ›
Newton's first law of motion
When a quarterback picks up the ball and throws it towards wide receivers, the ball will fly along the direction he threw it with a specific speed based on the force he applied to the throw.
