*Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton finds himself on the spitfire of life whiled being being roasted for at best being flippant and at worst being sexist to a female sports reporter.
On Wednesday, at the team’s news conference, Charlotte Observer beat reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked Newton about wide receiver Devin Funchess really getting into the physicality that comes with the routes he runs … and if Newton enjoyed it.
Newton responded, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes like — it’s funny.”
Afterwards, trying to clean things up, Panthers director of communications Steven Drummond said in a statement that he spoke with Newton and Rodrigue “and I know they had a conversation where he expressed regret for using those words. We strive as a department to make the environment for media comfortable for everyone covering the team.”
But Rodrigue said in a statement that Newton did not apologize.
“This afternoon, I did my job as an NFL beat writer and asked Cam Newton a question about one of his receivers. I was dismayed by his response, which not only belittled me but countless other women before me and beside me who work in similar jobs,” Rodrigue said. “I sought Mr. Newton out as he left the locker room a few minutes later. He did not apologize for his comments.”
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
The Observer also reported that after the presser, Rodrigue followed up and asked Newton whether he thought a woman couldn’t understand receiver routes.
“Newton said she wasn’t really seeing specific routes when watching the game, she was just seeing if somebody was open,” the Observer reported. “She argued that he didn’t know what she saw nor how hard she had studied football, and that maybe the two of them needed to have a deeper conversation.
“Newton said that maybe he should have said it was funny to hear ‘reporters’ talk about routes and that, if she actually did know about them, then she knew more than most reporters,” according to the Observer. “Then he gestured toward the locker room, still filled with her colleagues.”
Here’s what the NFL had to say about what happened:
“The comments are just plain wrong and disrespectful to the exceptional female reporters and all journalists. They do not reflect the thinking of the league.”
The Association for Women in Sports Media said in a statement that it “is very discouraged by Cam Newton’s disrespectful remarks and actions directed to a female reporter during today’s Carolina Panthers media conference. As a watchdog group, AWSM demands fair treatment and positive workplace environments for women working in sports media.”
The Pro Football Writers of America also condemned Newton’s comments, saying in a statement that he “crossed the line.”
But did he, really? It could be argued that he wasn’t being sexist, per se. But because he’s not accustomed to women asking him technical questions. After all, he didn’t stare her down or berate her for asking the question and after his quizzical comment/response, he answered her question.
Here’s what some Facebook commenters had to say about the incident:
Mike Schroeder
“I took his response as that he was impressed with her sports knowledge. I think if he was trying to be rude he would have laughed and went on to the next question. I’m also impressed when I can have indepth conversations with women about football, including my wife. Cheers!”
David Temkin
“A mountain out of a molehill. I took apparel marketing courses in college and the class was 99% female. I got the, “What are you doing in this class?” and “Ahh, the male representative is going to answer the question,” when I would raise my hand. I thought it was funny. I mean, how many guys take fashion courses. Take it for what it’s worth.”
David Huff · West Division High School
“It’s funny. It’s not sexist, he’s just use to seeing men in his face from the time he picked up a football. I don’t think he ment it in a bad way, just different to him. He didnt tell her to stay in her lane.”
Jon Dough
“His comment was insensitive and was offensive to the reporter doing her job. Per the Panthers staff, he apologized after. His error was brought to his attention, he apologized, lets move on. Keep an eye to see if its a pattern, but move on. Though it is interesting that she says he didnt apologize….”
Orin Cameron · Long Island University, CW Post
“Yeah, saw the clip. Unneccessary and sexist. She was clear on her question and he started smiling and giggling to himself before she finished. Cam needs to be better than this.”
source: ESPN
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