CAROLINA PANTHERS

Cam Newton explains why he flossed on bench during game

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) does his Superman pose as he celebrates his second quarter touchdown with running back Jonathan Stewart (28) against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Even as the NFL's reigning Most Valuable Player, Cam Newton is still finding new ways to garner attention on the sideline.

In the third quarter of the Carolina Panthers' 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos, Newton was shown flossing while on the bench.

The moment sparked a stir on social media, with an all-important question looming: Why would a starting NFL quarterback ever need to floss during a game?

"I was eating oranges at halftime," Newton said in his final remark of his postgame news conference.

Dental hygienic tactics aside, Newton completed 18 of 33 passes for 194 yards, one passing touchdown and an interception on the night. He added 54 yards and a rushing touchdown on 11 carries.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.

PHOTOS: Best of NFL Week 1