Ron Rivera Says Panthers Won't Carry Bats on Field, Blames "No Fun League"

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera will no longer allow his team to carry baseball bats onto the field during pregame after Sunday’s incident with Odell Beckham. Cornerback Josh Norman and practice squad player Marcus Ball were seen wielding the lumber and a source told Adam Schefter the Giants wide receiver felt threatened.

Rivera said today that he did not hear any Panther threaten Beckham and that Ball denied using any homophobic slurs.

Rivera explained his decision to keep bats off the field is designed to keep the team out of a “soap opera.” He also couldn’t resist taking a shot at the NFL.

"“[The NFL] is the ‘No Fun League’ for a reason,” Rivera said."

Practice players threatening violence against a marquee player during pregame warmups is likely not a form of fun the NFL would embrace.

It will be interesting to see if the Panthers can remember to “bring the wood” without holding actual wood in their hands. We’ll get a chance to see how they juggle an undefeated record and being forced to use their imaginations at the same time. Could get tricky.