SEATTLE _ Carolina Panthers quarterback and reigning league MVP Cam Newton was benched for the start of Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks for disciplinary reasons, a team source confirmed.
It was the first time in Newton's six-year career he didn't start a game for a reason other than an injury.
Derek Anderson started in place of Newton. On the first play of the game, Anderson was intercepted by linebacker Mike Morgan on a pass that was bounced off the hands of fullback Mike Tolbert.
The Seahawks took over at the Panthers' 8 and kicked a field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
Newton was back in the game for the Panthers' next offensive series.
The Panthers spent the week after last week's loss at Oakland in northern California.
