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During a press conference, Newton was asked about the Panthers' receivers improving over the season by Jordan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer.
As the question concluded, Newton laughed and said, "It's funny to hear a female talk about routes." Newton grinned and said "it's funny" again, before answering the question.
The comment did not seem to be malicious; rather, Newton seemed to actually find the idea of a female reporter asking about football Xs and Os funny.
The comment drew the criticism of many around the NFL world.
Rodrigue responded:
Rodrigue also seemed to say via Twitter that she spoke to Newton about the comment and that he was unapologetic.
Newton and the Panthers may issue an apology at some point, but from the sounds of it, according to Rodrigue it may not be genuine from Newton.
Here's video of Newton's comment:
And Jourdan does her job well. Like, extremely well. Cam's comment was uncalled for. https://t.co/W3xDQAsgQM
- Joe Person (@josephperson) October 4, 2017What frustrates me about Cam Newton's comments: He's not joking around with friends, he's being condescending to a reporter doing her job
- Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 4, 2017"It's funny to hear a female talk about routes." What an embarrassing statement from Cam around 6:50 mark https://t.co/CpBTdR3Nw7
- Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 4, 2017Come on, dude. It's 2017. https://t.co/v1I1HsptOD
- Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) October 4, 2017Shoutout to @JourdanRodrigue for acting like a true professional, even when others around you aren't. https://t.co/LjXkvmhaVc
- Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) October 4, 2017I don't think it's "funny" to be a female and talk about routes. I think it's my job.
- Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 4, 2017I 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, 2017Here's the video of Cam Newton saying "it's funny to hear a female talk about routes" pic.twitter.com/hd9Kg4CCeu
- Carlin & Reese (@CarlinReeseWIP) October 4, 2017