Ron Rivera Comments on Josh Norman, Odell Beckham Jr. Feud, Bat Allegations

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera responded to his players' bringing a bat on the field during pregame warm-ups and the allegations that homophobic slurs and threats were made toward New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. before the team's 38-35 win Sunday.

Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network shared a chunk of Rivera's press conference:

Rivera said the players would no longer be permitted to bring the bat out on the field, per Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer:

The coach also addressed the reports his players had used homophobic slurs against Beckham.

According to Person, Rivera said Panthers safety Marcus Ball told him he didn't use homophobic slurs and that other players or members of the staff didn't hear any such language used before the game.

"I heard nothing. People around him [Ball] heard nothing that could be construed as homophobic," Rivera said, per Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer. "The video clips are benign."

During the game, cornerback Josh Norman and Beckham clashed, with Beckham being called for three unnecessary roughness penalties and the pair continuously fighting after the whistle. The league suspended Beckham for one game Monday, though he is appealing that decision, per ESPN.com's Chris Mortensen (via Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith).