Cam Newton Slammed for Mocking Female Reporter
Cam Newton is under fire for making a sexist comment to a female reporter during a press conference on Wednesday.
Carolina Panthers beat writer Jourdan Rodrigue asked the quarterback about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ improvements on the field. “I know you take a lot of pride in seeing your receivers play well,” Rodrigue said during the briefing. “Devin Funchess has really seemed to embrace the physicality of his routes and getting those extra yards. Does that give you a little bit of enjoyment to see him kind of truck-sticking people out there?”
Newton laughed and replied, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes like … it’s funny.”
Here'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
Rodrigue responded to Newton’s comments on Twitter writing, “I don’t think it’s ‘funny’ to be a female and talk about routes. I think it’s my job.” Later she wrote, “I 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.”
I 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, 2017
I 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, 2017
Fellow journalists came to Rodrigue’s defense on Twitter. One wrote, “Brutal, sexist answer from Cam Newton in response to good question from female reporter. And the body language was just as bad.” Another said, “What frustrates me about Cam Newton’s comments: He’s not joking around with friends, he’s being condescending to a reporter doing her job.”
Brutal, sexist answer from Cam Newton in response to good question from female reporter. And the body language was just as bad. https://t.co/NEgvTd6sVh
— RandBall (@RandBall) October 4, 2017
What 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
Lindsay Jones, who also covers the NFL, reminded everyone that women covering sports is nothing new. “Oh come on. Welcome to 2017 Cam Newton,” she said. “[Jourdan Rodrigue] deserves better than that.”
Oh come on. Welcome to 2017 Cam Newton, women have been covering sports for decades. @JourdanRodrigue deserves better than that. https://t.co/ofeu23Xq6J
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) October 4, 2017
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