Nothing funny about Newton flap with reporter
Cam Newton has “expressed regret” for his response to a female reporter’s question at a news conference yesterday, a Carolina Panthers spokesman said.
When Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked Newton about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running, the former league MVP smiled and said, “it’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.”
After Newton’s comments, the quarterback proceeded to answer Rodrigue’s question.
Carolina spokesman Steven Drummond said in a statement to The Associated Press that Newton had a conversation with Rodrigue after the news conference ended and expressed regret for his remarks.
Rodrigue released a statement through The Charlotte Observer via email saying that Newton did not apologize when they spoke after the news conference.
She said she “was dismayed by his response, which not only belittled me but countless other women before me and beside me who work in similar jobs. I sought Mr. Newton out as he left the locker room a few minutes later. He did not apologize for his comments.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said last night in a statement that Newton’s comments “are just plain wrong and disrespectful to the exceptional female reporters and all journalists who cover our league. They do not reflect the thinking of the league.”
Drummond said the Panthers “strive as a department to make the environment for media comfortable for everyone covering the team.”
Mike Persinger, the executive sports editor of The Charlotte Observer, said Newton’s comments were “unfortunate and out of line.”
“The question Jourdan asked during the news conference was a good one, like countless other questions about football strategy and nuance she has asked in the course of doing her job,” Persinger said.
Brown apologizes
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown apologized via Twitter for his sideline outburst early in his team’s victory in Baltimore last Sunday. Brown broke free on Pittsburgh’s second possession and was wide open down the left sideline.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn’t see Brown and instead threw the ball short. Brown briefly lost his cool afterward, taking out his frustration on a Gatorade cooler in the process.
“Apologize for all the noise and the distractions Steeler nation let’s stay focus,” the All-Pro posted.
Adams practices
Davante Adams returned to practice after absorbing a helmet-to-helmet hit from Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan last Thursday that led to the Green Bay Packers wide receiver being carted off the field on a stretcher . . . .
Seattle Seahawks tackle Rees Odhiambo was back on the practice field just three days after an alarming postgame scene following a win over the Colts in which he suffered a bruised sternum. Odhiambo had been injured in the third quarter when he was hit in the chest during an interception return. He was having trouble breathing the rest of the game, but never missed a snap.
It was in the minutes after the game when the adrenaline wore off that Odhiambo’s breathing issues became more serious and required medical attention.
Big step for Luck
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who underwent surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder in January, was back on the practice field where he participated in some drills and threw a few passes at less than full velocity . . . .
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey says quarterback Marcus Mariota’s status is still unclear for their upcoming matchup with the Miami Dolphins.
The Titans coach remains hopeful that Mariota will play despite a strained hamstring. Mariota, who was hurt in last week’s loss to Houston.