Quarterback Cam Newton apologises for 'degrading and disrespectful' sexist comments to reporter
Carolina Panthers quarterback, Cam Newton, has apologized for sexist comments made to a female reporter this week.
“After careful thought, I understand that my word choice was extremely degrading and disrespectful to women,” the quarterback said on a video posted on his Twitter account.
“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 the 2015 NFL MVP about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running, Newton laughed and said, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.”
It elcicited a response from Ms Rodrigue on Twitter, who posted: "I don't think it's 'funny' to be a female and talk about routes. I think it's my job."
In Newton's video posted last night, he said he’s a man who strives to be a positive role model in the community and who tries to use his platform to inspire others. He said he takes ownership to everything that comes with that.
“What I did was extremely unacceptable,” Newton said. “I’m a father to two beautiful daughters and I try to instill in them that they can be anything that they want to be. The fact that during this process I have already lost sponsors and countless fans I realize that the joke is really on me. I have really learned a valuable lesson from this.”
Newton also sent a message to the “young people” who follow him.
“Don’t be like me,” Newton said. “Be better than me. To the reporters, to the journalists, to the moms, the super moms, the daughters, the sisters all around the world I sincerely apologize and hope that you can find the kindness in your heart to forgive me. Thank you.”
