Sports
Cam Newton Loses Endorsement Deal After Sexist Comment
Dannon Yogurt parted ways with the Carolina Panthers star quarterback Thursday after he made sexist comments to a sports reporter.
CHARLOTTE, NC — Dannon Yogurt has cut ties with pitchman Cam Newton less than one day after the Carolina Panthers quarterback made sexist comments about a sports reporter during a player media availability event in Charlotte Wednesday, according to reports.
The yogurt giant’s decision to drop Newton, who signed a contract with Dannon in 2015, comes as he faces intense backlash for comments made about a sports reporter, The Charlotte Observer reported. Jourdan Rodrigue, whose beat is covering the hometown team for the Observer, asked Newton a question about another player’s route running. Newton responded with a dramatic smile that appeared to mock the reporter before answering, prefacing his reply by saying, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes.”
“I don’t think it’s ‘funny’ to be a female and talk about routes. I think it’s my job,” Rodrigue later said on Twitter, following the incident.
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A Dannon spokesperson said Newton’s comments went against the company’s commitment to gender equality and workplace inclusion. “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,” said Michael Neuwirth, senior director of external communication for Dannon, according to the newspaper.
Here's the video of Cam Newton saying "it's funny to hear a female talk about routes" pic.twitter.com/hd9Kg4CCeu
— Carlin & Reese (@CarlinReeseW'IP) October 4, 2017
Observer sports columnist Scott Fowler came to the defense of his colleague Rodrigue in a column: “I was in that room, which held about 30 media members, and there was dead silence when Newton proclaimed 'It’s funny' – because actually it wasn’t funny at all. To state the obvious, this is 2017 and not 1967,” he said. Women have covered sports for decades, making Newton’s comments “ill-informed,” Fowler added.
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The NFL agreed. “The 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,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a response to The Observer, Fowler said.
On social media, it was clear Newton’s comment touched a stinging nerve.
Ladies - do not feel forced into defending our sports knowledge. This is on Cam Newton - NOT ON US. Unacceptable in 2017 to go back to this
— Laura Okmin (@LauraOkmin) October 4, 2017
Wow, the men out there supportive of Cam Newton's stance toward Jourdan Rodrigue is another bad sign for social progress in this country.
— Jay Philips (@JayPhilips1075) October 5, 2017
Cam Newton’s comments to @JourdanRodrigue are offensive. If you’re a man and you can’t get that, you’re part of the problem.
— Adam Rhew (@AdamRhew) October 4, 2017
I know far too many women who can and do talk circles around men when it comes to sports, and not just football. My respect level for Cam Newton is officially at -100 below zero. Grow up, son.
— Patrik Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) October 4, 2017
What frustrates me about Cam Newton's comments: He's not joking around with friends, he's being condescending to a reporter doing her job
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 4, 2017
What do you think about his comment? Sound off in the comment section.
Photo via Pixabay
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