Cam Newton Apologizes for Making Sexist Comments to a Female Reporter

Cam Newton, the quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, apologized Thursday for making sexist remarks to a female reporter. 

“After careful thought, I understand that my word choice was extremely degrading and disrespectful to women,” the football player said in a video posted on Twitter.

Newton came under fire after a news conference Wednesday when Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer posed a question about the route-running of his teammate and wide-receiver, Devin Funchess. “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes,” Newton responded, grinning widely and emphasizing the word “routes.”

“I don’t think it’s “funny” to be a female and talk about routes. I think it’s my job.” Rodrigue wrote on Twitter.

On Thursday following Newton’s comments, Dannon dropped its sponsorship of the 28-year-old athlete, who has repped the company’s Oikos yogurt since 2015.

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“We are shocked and disheartened at the behavior and comments of Cam Newton toward Jourdan Rodrigue, which we perceive as sexist and disparaging to all women,” read a statement from Dannon. “It is entirely inconsistent with our commitment to fostering equality and inclusion in every workplace. It’s simply not O.K. to belittle anyone based on gender.”

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“I’m a man who tries to be a positive role model in my community and tries to use my platform to inspire others. I take ownership to everything that comes with that. And what I did was extremely unacceptable,” Newton said in his apology.

“The fact that during this whole process I’ve already lost sponsors and countless fans, I realize that the joke is really on me,” Newton said. “I’ve learned a valuable lesson from this.”