Female reporter calls out QB Cam Newton for sexist comments

A female reporter is objecting to sexist comments made by Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton during a press conference on Wednesday. 

The 28-year-old quarterback was asked a routine question by Charlotte Observer beat reporter Jourdan Rodrigue. Before giving an answer, Newton responded by saying, "it's funny to hear a female talk about routes." 

Rodrigue didn't share Newton's opinion and took to Twitter to express her thoughts on what she perceived to be an offensive response. 

She later tweeted that a follow-up conversation with Newton was similarly unsatisfactory.

Carolina spokesman Steven Drummond said in a statement to The Associated Press that Newton had a conversation with Rodrigue after the news conference ended and expressed regret for his remarks.

Drummond said the Panthers "strive as a department to make the environment for media comfortable for everyone covering the team."

Rodrigue released a statement through The Charlotte Observer via email saying that Newton did not apologize when they spoke after the news conference.

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."

Rodrigue's initial tweet garnered a lot of support.

This isn't Newton's first questionable run-in with a female sports reporter. In 2012, Newton addressed another woman in a post-game interview by calling her "sweetheart."

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Wednesday night in a statement 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."