The Carolina Panthers benched Cam Newton for the team's first offensive series against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night because of a dress code violation.

Ron Rivera said after the game that Newton committed "a travel dress code violation," adding that he made the decision to treat Newton "like I do all the other players on the team, and he didn't start."

Newton later elaborated.

"I didn't follow dress code, and Coach told me I wasn't going to start. I stand by his decision," said Newton, who confirmed that the specific violation was that he was not wearing a tie on the team flight from San Jose, California, to Seattle on Saturday.

Derek Anderson started at quarterback and was intercepted on the first play on a pass intended for Mike Tolbert.