Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton lost a major endorsement deal with Dannon Yogurt on Thursday after making a sexist comment to a female reporter during a press conference on Wednesday.
‘We have shared our concerns with Cam and will no longer work with him,” read a statement from Michael Neuwirth, senior director of external communications for Dannon, which makes the Oikos line of Greek yogurt that Newton was paid to endorse before Thursday.
During Wednesday’s press conference, the Charlotte Observer’s Jourdan Rodrigue asked Newton a routine question about the routes being run by Panthers wideout Devin Funchess.
Newton has been a spokesman for Dannon’s Oikos since January pf 2015
Newton, in reply, appeared to condescend the female reporter, saying: ‘It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes.’ Newton then takes a pause before repeating ‘it’s funny’.
Charlotte Observer beat reporter Jourdan Rodrigue (pictured) said she felt ‘dismayed’ and ‘belittled’ following the exchange
‘We are shocked and disheartened at the behavior and comments of Cam Newton towards Jourdan Rodrigue, which we perceive as sexist and disparaging to all women,’ read Neuwirth’s statement. ‘It is entirely inconsistent with our commitment to fostering equality and inclusion in every workplace. It’s simply not ok to belittle anyone based on gender.’
Following the news briefing, Rodrigue expressed her dismay at Newton’s treatment via Twitter.
‘I don’t think it’s ‘funny’ to be a female and talk about routes. I think it’s my job,’ she wrote.
She later revealed on Twitter that she had confronted Newton, 28, on his comments following the conference, adding that the situation only deteriorated from there.
She neglected, however, to divulge details of their conversation.
‘I spoke with him after and it was worse,’ she wrote. ‘I chose not to share, because I have an actual job to do today and one he will not keep me from.’
In response, Carolina Panthers spokesman Steven Drummond released a statement saying that the star quarterback was remorseful for his choice of words.
‘I have spoken with Jourdan and Cam and I know they had a conversation where he expressed regret for using those words,’ Drummond said.
Following the press conference, Rodrigue took to Twitter to express her concern over the comments
Carolina Panthers star quarterback Cam Newton (pictured) appears to have ‘belittled’ a female reporter for asking a routine question
Rodrigue said that she confronted Newton about the comments following the press conference, saying ‘it was worse’ after speaking with him
‘We strive as a department to make the environment for the media comfortable for everyone covering the team,’ he added.
However, NFL.com analyst Ian Rapoport later tweeted a reply by Rodrigue on the matter, revealing that Newton had yet to apologize for his behavior.
‘This afternoon, I did my job as NFL beat writer and asked Cam Newton a question about one of his receivers,’ Rodrigue said.
‘I was dismayed by his response, which not only belittled me but countless other women before me and besides me who work in similar jobs.’
Carolina Panthers spokesperson Steven Drummond later said that the two had spoken once again, claiming that Newton had expressed ‘regret’ over his statements
Rodrigue, however, said that Newton never apologized for the comments following a brief exchange
‘I sought Mr. Newton out as he left the locker room a few minutes later. He did not apologize for his comments.’
A representative for the Carolina Panthers was not immediately available for comment on the matter.
Brian McCarthy, a spokesperson for the NFL, said in a statement Wednesday night 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,’ he added.
Newton has also endorsed Pepsi, Under Armour, and Belk, which is a Charlotte-based retailer.