CAM NEWTON: Carolina Panthers quarterback dropped by Dannon after “sexist” comments to reporter.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.» Cam Newton apologized in a Twitter video post Thursday night for sexist comments he made to a female reporter.
“After careful thought, I understand that my word choice was extremely degrading and disrespectful to women,” the Carolina Panthers quarterback said at the start of the nearly two-minute video. “To be honest, that was not my intention. And if you are a person who took offense to what I said, I sincerely apologize to you.”
Wednesday, when Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked Newton about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running, Newton laughed and said, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.”
The NFL released a statement Wednesday saying that Newton’s response to the question was “just plain wrong and disrespectful to the exceptional female reporters and all journalists who cover our league.”
Before his apology, Dannon, the maker of Oikos yogurt, cut ties with spokesman Newton on Thursday.
Company spokesperson Michael Neuwirth released a statement saying it was “shocked and disheartened” at the former league MVP’s behavior and comments.
Dannon’s statement noted that the company perceives Newton’s comments as “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.”
The NFL issued a statement Wednesday saying that Newton’s response to the question was “just plain wrong and disrespectful to the exceptional female reporters and all journalists who cover our league.”
Panthers coach Ron Rivera addressed the situation briefly during his news conference Thursday, saying: “I think Cam made a mistake. I understand he had a conversation where he pretty much said he shouldn’t have said what he said.”
Rodrigue was back in the Panthers’ locker room Thursday — flanked by Mike Persinger, the executive sports editor of The Charlotte Observer.