Coach calls Newton’s apology necessary
CHARLOTTE, N.C. Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera says Cam Newton’s apology for a sexist remark to a female reporter was “something that was needed to be said.”
“I think it was well said and well put,” Rivera said. “I just hope it’s something we can move forward and start again. It’s a tough set of circumstances and hopefully this can settle things so we can go forward.”
Newton made his remarks during a news conference Wednesday when Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked the 2015 NFL MVP about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running. The quarterback laughed and said, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.”
Newton issued a nearly twominute apology on Twitter Thursday night, saying, “What I did was extremely unacceptable” and that he has “really learned a valuable lesson from this.”
He hasn’t directly apologized to Rodrigue.
The NFL issued a statement Wednesday night calling Newton’s comments at the news conference “just plain wrong and disrespectful to the exceptional female reporters and all journalists who cover the league.”
Newton issued his apology more than 24 hours after making his remarks, during which time he lost an endorsement deal when Danone severed ties with him.
“After careful thought, I understand that my word choice was extremely degrading and disrespectful to women,” the Panthers quarterback said. “To be honest, that was not my intention. And if you are a person who took offence to what I said, I sincerely apologize to you.”
In the video, Newton said he’s a man who strives to be a positive role model in the community and who tries to use his platform to inspire others.
He also said he takes ownership of everything that comes with that.
“I’m a father to two beautiful daughters and I try to instil in them that they can be anything that they want to be. The fact that during this process I have already lost sponsors and countless fans, I realize that the joke is really on me. I have really learned a valuable lesson from this.
“Be better than me. To the reporters, to the journalists, to the moms, the super moms, the daughters, the sisters all around the world, I sincerely apologize and hope that you can find the kindness in your heart to forgive me.”
Danone, who makes Oikos yogurt, cut ties with Newton as its spokesman. However, other companies that have endorsement deals with Newton such as Gatorade, Under Armour and Beats by Dre did not.