Cam Newton just took sexism to the next level and female sports reporters aren't having it
Can Newton, the Super Bowl-losing quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, dropped a shockingly smug, sexist comment on Wednesday after a female journalist asked him a question.
Here's the exchange between Newton and Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer.
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After being asked whether he enjoyed the fact that his wide receiver "really seemed to embrace the physicality of his routes," Newton responded with this:
"It's funny to hear a female talk about routes like -- it's funny."
Ummm ... news flash: it's not. To degrade a female reporter is, of course, never acceptable. And women talking about sports isn't a joke. After the clip spread online, female reporters spoke out about Newton and the sexist behavior they've had to endure while doing their jobs.
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Rodrigue also tweeted about the incident, and got plenty of support from other journalists (as well as ignorant replies from trolls).
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She also released a statement claiming he wouldn't apologize to her.
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The Panthers' official comment after the fact was underwhelming, to say the least.
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Newton, it turns out, had no protection when it came to sick internet burns. Maybe if he tries hard he'll raise his QBR to the level of Eli Manning.
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Keith Wagstaff is an assistant editor at Mashable and a terrible Settlers of Catan player. He has written for TIME, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, NBC News, The Village Voice, VICE, GQ and New York Magazine, among many other reputable and not-so-reputable publications. After nearly a decade in New York City, he now lives in his native Los Angeles.
