Update Oct. 5, 3 p.m.: Cam Newton is learning there are repercussions to having an archaic sense of humor (we’re being kind). Dannon, the maker of Oikos yogurt, is dropping Newton after the “sexist” remarks the Panthers QB made to a female reporter, the Associated Press reported.
Dannon released a statement on Thursday saying it was “shocked and disheartened” at the comments Newton made to Jourdan Rodrigue, a Charlotte Observer reporter, at a press conference on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Dannon considers the former league MVP’s behavior “sexist and disparaging to all women. … It’s simply not ok to belittle anyone based on gender. We have shared our concerns with Cam and will no longer work with him.”
Newton hasn’t issued an apology.
The NFL denounced Newton’s statement after the press conference saying the quarterback’s comment was “just plain wrong and disrespectful to the exceptional female reporters and all journalists who cover our league.”
So far, Newton has not been punished.
“I think there are conversations going on at the club level with the appropriate people, with the Panthers,” NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart told the AP in a conference call Thursday. “I don’t want to anticipate the league stepping in there.”
The executive sports editor of The Charlotte Observer called Newton’s response “unfortunate and out of line,” the AP reported. The Associated Press Sports Editors announced it “agrees wholeheartedly that Mr. Newton’s response was out of line” and is asking “for a formal apology to Jourdan Rodrigue from Mr. Newton and the Carolina Panthers organization.”
Original article: Cam Newton mocked a female reporter and Twitter is piiiissed
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton mocked a female reporter, telling her it is funny to hear a “female talk about routes” at a press conference Wednesday and social media is doing what it does best — expressing outrage.
Newton smirked as Jourdan Rodrigue, a reporter for the Charlotte Observer, asked the following question:
“Cam, I know you take a lot of pride in seeing your receivers play well,” Rodrigue said. “Devin Funchess has seemed to really embrace the physicality of his routes and getting those extra yards. Does that give you a little bit of enjoyment to see him kind of truck sticking people out there?”
Newton muffled a smile before providing his answer.
“It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes like — it’s funny,” the 28-year-old Newton said before discussing Funchess’ development with the team.
Rodrigue did not find the humor in Newton’s assessment, as evidenced by her posts on social media.
Rodrigue said she confronted Newton about the comments, but said his response was worse than the original comments.
I don’t think it’s “funny” to be a female and talk about routes. I think it’s my job.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 4, 2017
I spoke with him after and it was worse. I chose not to share, because I have an actual job to do today and one he will not keep me from.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 4, 2017
Newton’s remarks were quickly condemned for being sexist and dismissive of female sports reporters.
“What frustrates me about Cam Newton’s comments: He’s not joking around with friends, he’s being condescending to a reporter doing her job,” Katherine Terrell, an ESPN reporter wrote.
What frustrates me about Cam Newton’s comments: He’s not joking around with friends, he’s being condescending to a reporter doing her job
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 4, 2017
“Ladies – do not feel forced into defending our sports knowledge. This is on Cam Newton – NOT ON US. Unacceptable in 2017 to go back to this,” Laura Okmin, a sports broadcaster and founder of GALvanize, tweeted.
Ladies – do not feel forced into defending our sports knowledge. This is on Cam Newton – NOT ON US. Unacceptable in 2017 to go back to this
— Laura Okmin (@LauraOkmin) October 4, 2017
“To be clear, I’m a female sports reporter and the only sports jersey I’ve ever owned is Cam Newton’s. So this is deeply disappointing,” Lindsay Gibbs from Think Progress wrote.
And as a Panthers fan who follows the beat closely, I assure you that @JourdanRodrigue is a rockstar at her job who deserves none of this.
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) October 4, 2017
Female sports reporters weren’t the only ones to speak out against Newton’s comment.
“Cam Newton is gonna have a rough couple days,” male broadcaster Steve Mason tweeted. “There’s no defense for his reaction to that female reporter today. It is #sexist & #demeaning.”
Cam Newton is gonna have a rough couple days. There’s no defense for his reaction to that female reporter today. It is #sexist & #demeaning.
— Steve Mason (@VeniceMase) October 4, 2017
Here are some more of our favorite zingers from Twitter.
I’m about the furthest from a feminist you can get but what Cam Newton said was pretty fuckin sexist..
— Austin (@Walker18137) October 4, 2017
And really, the route that Cam Newton needs to concern himself with is the route to Men’s Wearhouse. He looks like an unmade bed. pic.twitter.com/o15wDzvn2c
— Paul Smith (@ptsmith109) October 4, 2017
Since Cam Newton thinks I shouldn’t be able to talk I’ll just gesture instead, does that work? pic.twitter.com/cMTCbenI9K
— Emily (@ejweeks) October 4, 2017
Men constantly make women prove they understand sports and then when they do, they belittle them. Cam Newton: pic.twitter.com/5OpIJnwo1j
— Nicole Toerpe (@Polerathecat) October 4, 2017
Cam Newton told a female reporter that it was “funny to hear a female talking about routes.” I’m honestly so tired of comments like this.
— Jordan Marie (@Jordan_Marie15) October 4, 2017
I find it funny when Cam Newton spends half an hour to put his beanie on his head juuuuuuuuuust right. pic.twitter.com/mrr5nyzBya
— Frederick Douglass (@gettinnoticedmo) October 4, 2017
When Cam Newton said “it’s funny to see a female ask about routes”….
Everyone saw it like this: pic.twitter.com/OU6L2fIoUN
— #NickTheSlick? (@NickTheSlick12) October 4, 2017
Reuters contributed to this report.
