Panthers' Luke Kuechly ejected for contact with official

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was ejected in the second half of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers for making contact with an official who tried to restrain him as Kuechly exited a pile.

Kuechly, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, was in the scrum of bodies after a fumble by the Packers' Eddie Lacy with 1:59 remaining in the third quarter when Green Bay tight end Richard Rodgers dragged him away.

As Kuechly stood up, back judge Steve Freeman grabbed Kuechly from behind, and Kuechly — likely unaware of who was grabbing him — swung his left arm to get out of the hold. There did not appear to be any forcible contact to the official.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera argued the call extensively with no success. It was too late anyway to save the Panthers, who trailed 35-3 at the time.

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