AP

If Ed Hochuli told Cam Newton he wasn’t old enough to get a call, it was an unnecessary and patronizing response to a quarterback who thought he took a late hit out of bounds.

But Hochuli says he didn’t say it.

According to a league source, Hochuli denied telling Newton he “wasn’t old enough” to get a call in today’s win over the Saints.

You can debate amongst yourselves who you believe in a game of “he said/he said” between the Panthers quarterback and the league’s most visible official.

But as for the league’s official response, they said the age of the quarterback would not come into play.

“The officials make decisions based upon the play on the field, and no other factors,” league spokesman Michael Signora said. “On the play in question, there is no roughing the passer because the quarterback is out of the pocket and a runner, and no unnecessary roughness because the contact is not late.”

Newton admitted the hit was borderline, but he has every right to ask for a clarification.