NFL spokesman: Panthers in ‘conversations’ over Cam Newton situation
The fallout from Cam Newton’s sexist remarks about a question from a female beat reporter during a Wednesday press conference not surprisingly has continued into Thursday. However, according to NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart, any potential punishment for Newton due to his comments will come from the Panthers, not the NFL.
“I don’t want to anticipate the league stepping in here,” Lockhart said, via Pro Football Talk.
Lockhart, in a media briefing Thursday, indicated “conversations” are occurring within the Panthers organization regarding the best course of action to take in the wake of Newton’s controversial comments, during which he said it was “funny to hear a female” ask a question about Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running.
Cam Newton will take heat for this on social media and then apologize within 24 hours https://t.co/hzyay5D7PWpic.twitter.com/f02QeZM3Uz
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) October 4, 2017
Jourdan Rodrigue, the Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer, was the media member subjected to Newton’s remarks. She weighed in on the ordeal via her Twitter account.
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
The Panthers later issued a statement of their own.
A statement from #Panthers spokesman @StevenJuston, on Cam Newton’s remarks at today’s press conference pic.twitter.com/pJJ5frtFjx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2017
Lockhart on Thursday reinforced the NFL’s original statement on the matter from Wednesday, where the league condemned Newton’s remarks as “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.”
“Everyone on this call knows the level of sophistication of our sports journalists,” said Lockhart during the media briefing. “Gender plays no role at all in that. The statement [from Newton] was just wrong, and the people on this call know it is wrong because you have first-hand experience.”
And still, at this point, nearly 24 hours after Newton made his remarks, a personal apology — or at the very least some kind a statement — from the Panthers quarterback remains lacking.
