Newton apologizes for comment to reporter

Cam Newton apologized in a Twitter video post Thursday night for sexist comments 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 intentions. And if you are a person who took offense to what I said, I sincerely apologize to you.”

On Wednesday when Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked Newton about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running Wednesday, Newton laughed and said, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.”

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.

PATRIOTS TOP BUCS » Tom Brady threw for 303 yards and one touchdown, and New England’s porous defense showed signs of improvement Thursday night in a 19-14 victory over the Buccaneers, despite Brady turning the ball over twice on his first interception in eight regular-season games and a fumble on one of Tampa Bay’s three sacks.

Neither of the mistakes led to points for Tampa Bay (2-2), which was unable to do much offensively until the fourth quarter.

Brady threw a 5-yard TD pass to Chris Hogan in the second quarter, and Stephen Gostkowski kicked field goals of 27, 23, 45 and 48 yards for the Patriots (3-2).

Jameis Winston rallied Tampa Bay late with an 18-yard TD pass to Cameron Brate that trimmed New England’s lead to 1614 with 2:09 remaining.

It might not have come down to a last-second drive if not for another poor performance by Bucs kicker Nick Folk.

Folk missed three field goals Thursday night, including a 31-yarder that would have cut a ninepoint deficit to six in the closing minutes.

College football

SAN DIEGO STATE TO BUILD FOOTBALL/PRO SOCCER STADIUM » San Diego State has hired Populous to design a football stadium in Mission Valley that could also be used by a pro soccer team.

Athletic director J.D. Wicker said Thursday that SDSU wants a 35,000-seat stadium that could be expanded to 55,000 seats if the NFL ever returns. The Chargers left for Los Angeles earlier this year because itcouldn’tgetanewstadium.