During yesterday’s press conference, Cam Newton responded to a fairly straightforward question in a rather surprising way.
When Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked the star Quarterback about Devin Funchess’ “route running”, Cam paused and said, “it’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.”
He did proceed to answer the question, but that initial reaction is what rang loudest in most people’s ears.
Carolina Panthers spokesman Steven Drummond released a statement saying that Newton expressed regret to Rodrigue after the press conference, however, Rodrigue also released a statement saying that Newton did not apologize in their post-conference conversation.
In her statement, 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.”
She also tweeted out a response to Cam’s reaction after the press conference, which has already been retweeted over 12,000 times, and has over 2,800 replies;
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
Scott Leanord had one of the most ‘liked’ responses that defended Rodrigue;
She's also a journalist who writes about football. Why would it ever be "crazy" or surprising that she knows absolute basic football stuff?
— Scott Leonard (@scotthaleonard) October 4, 2017
…and most other commenters came to her defense;
Next time, tell him it's "funny" to hear a QB who completed <53% of his passes last year talking about concepts like Completion %.
— David Seigerman (@dseigs22) October 4, 2017
So angry on your behalf, so ready to fight someone over this, so not sure what else to say so here's a puppy pic.twitter.com/6wlE3QHgLX
— Maggie Hendricks (@maggiehendricks) October 4, 2017
however, there were also many people who didn’t think the comment was a big deal;
Omg go somewhere with this junk…if a woman says “It’s funny to hear a guy talk about makeup” should we march, protest and complain 🤷🏻♂️
— Jason Carmona (@cuatdatop85) October 4, 2017
get over it! Don't act as if female beat writers have just been bombarding the landscape of football for the last 20yrs
— P.A.C ENZO TEN (@allBlacPac) October 5, 2017
I don't think Cam was trying to prevent you from doing your job. I think it was "funny" to him because football is a male-dominated sport.
— David McClelland (@dmcland72) October 4, 2017
What do you think about Cam’s statement?