NFL, players' union to investigate how Panthers handled Cam Newton in opener
After the Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback, Cam Newton, took a significant hit to the head in Thursday night’s season opener, the National Football League and its players’ union have both opened investigations regarding the team’s compliance with concussion protocol. Newton suffered from a helmet-to-helmet collision with Darian Stewart, safety of the Denver Broncos. If the Panthers are found to be in-compliant with the policies they could face disciplinary actions from the NFL. Both the NFL and players’ union will recommend a disciplinary response, which will go to a third-party arbitrator if the two sides cannot come together, a procedure that is outlined in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, both the NFL and the players’ union will receive access to game footage, documents, and ability to formally interview parties involved, such as the Independent certified athletic trainers (ATC spotters) and the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant that was present during the blow.
See "NFL, players' union to investigate how Panthers handled Cam Newton in opener", Tom Pelissero, USA Today, September 14, 2016