If there was ever a way to get scolded for fashion choices, Cam Newton would surely figure out how. 。

The Carolina Panthers quarterback — whose fancy post-game attire defines him as much as his MVP-calibre skills on the field — was benched for the first play of Carolina's loss to Seattle on Sunday after violating the Panthers' dress code.  。

SEE ALSO:The NFL is basically the Grinch for penalizing a snow angel。

SEE ALSO:The NFL is basically the Grinch for penalizing a snow angel 。 Newton didn't wear a tie on the team flight into Seattle because -- 。 obviously --。

it didn't go with his outfit. 。 Speaking to the media in the offending outfit after the 40-7 loss, Newton said he hadn't packed a collared shirt after being away from home for a week, and couldn't rock a tie over his turtleneck. (He also said he couldn't find a dress shirt to fit his frame on short notice, according to。USA Today 。

USA Today 。

.)。"I can’t wear a tie with this," he told reporters during the post-game press conference. 。Mashable Top StoriesStay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter 。

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So Panthers head coach Ron Rivera — who, like most NFL coaches, imposes a formal dress code for traveling — held Newton out of the lineup for a play. In his stead, backup quarterback Derek Anderson preceded to throw an interception on the first snap of the game. 。

Of course, it's unfair to peg the big loss on one play, but the Panthers have bigger issues than Newton's necktie. Carolina is 4-8 this year, bad enough for last place in the NFC South. That's a far cry from the team's 15-1 finish last season, culminating Super Bowl appearance last February.。

Newton hasn't performed like a reigning MVP either, though his style has of course been consistently on point, including the unbelievable fox tail cleats he wore last month for warming up before Thursday night football. 。

What are Those?

What are Those? #camnewton #panthers pic.twitter.com/FypEBLjlNk。

— Jeremy Igo (CarolinaHuddle) November 17, 2016。

Guys, I find it hard to believe #CamNewton would commit a dress code violation. #SEAvsCAR pic.twitter.com/pwr6Vpf06S 。— Melissa Luck ☘ (MelissaKXLY4) December 5, 2016。Still, if Newton's style — and his lack of tie — is causing such a ruckus, it could be because his team has lost eight games, along with much of the buzz it had a year ago.。And that's not going to be fixed by a necktie.。And that's not going to be fixed by a necktie. 。