Panthers' Newton apologizes for 'degrading' comment to reporter

[October 06, 2017]    (Reuters) - Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who had already lost a sponsor for a degrading comment he made to a female reporter, apologized for the incident late on Thursday.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) watches the game on the big screen from the sidelines during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Newton was dropped by sponsor Dannon for the incident when he was asked a question by reporter Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer and smirked before saying: "it's funny to hear a female talk about routes."

He later used Twitter to post a video apology.

"After careful thought, I understand that my word choice was extremely degrading and disrespectful to women," Newton said. "If you are a person who took offense to what I said, I sincerely apologize to you.

"I'm a father to two beautiful daughters, and at their age I try to instill in them that they can do and be anything that they want to be.

"During this whole process I've already lost sponsors and countless fans, I realize that the joke was really on me. And I've learned a valuable lesson from this."

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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