Cam Newton comments to female reporter ‘out of line’

Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers celebrates during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has “expressed regret” for his response to a female reporter’s question at a news conference on Wednesday, a team 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, he 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.”

Drummond said the Panthers “strive as a department to make the environment for media comfortable for everyone covering the team.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Wednesday 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.”

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.

Rodrigue joined the Charlotte Observer as a Panthers beat reporter last year.

She said on on Twitter: “I don’t think it’s ‘funny’ to be a female and talk about routes. I think it’s my job.”

The Panthers (3-1) visit the Detroit Lions (3-1) on Sunday.