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NFL Season Arrives With Missing Stars And Controversy

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Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers celebrates a touchdown during the NFC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on Jan. 24, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers celebrates a touchdown during the NFC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on Jan. 24, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The 2016 NFL season kicks off tonight with a marquee matchup between the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos and the team they beat last February, the Carolina Panthers.

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning has retired, but the Panthers still have their Cam Newton, one of the league's young stars.

Meanwhile, New England's Tom Brady is suspended for the first four games because of "Deflategate," the Rams are back in Los Angeles for the first time in more than two decades and San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest continues to make news.

Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson looks at the season ahead with sports analyst Mike Pesca.

Guest

Mike Pesca, Here & Now sports analyst, host of the daily podcast The Gist. He tweets @pescami.

This segment aired on September 8, 2016.

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