Cam Newton laughing at a female reporter who asked him a legitimate football question on Wednesday has led to tremendous backlash as you could imagine.
While the NFL condemned his remarks with a statement, and many fans and media members were critical of him for what he said, it was the voice of women in the media that stood out in response.
Take a look at some of the words and tweets sent by powerful women in the media in response to Newton. Their thoughts ranged from being disappointed that there is still a sexist attitude, to defending their credentials by challenging Newton, or to pointing out how hypocritical it is to only hold women to that standard.
Here’s a sampling of some of the stronger responses from women in the media:
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
Better get used to it, Cam Newton. We "females" are not going anywhere. We love football, KNOW football, enjoy talking about football.
— Amy Lawrence (@ALawRadio) October 4, 2017
How about you and I review @CameronNewton the route tree! His play this season seems like he's forgotten a number or two… https://t.co/yFjugljd5l
— AnitaMarks (@AnitaMarks) October 4, 2017
What's so funny about it Cam?
Please enlighten us. https://t.co/SnB7yKV9l1— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) October 4, 2017
Should we start naming all the male reporters, broadcasters and analysts that never ran a route in their lives?… https://t.co/AlrnbLrpXK
— Joy Taylor (@JoyTaylorTalks) October 4, 2017
Reminder: My female colleagues and I have run the same number of college/NFL routes as most of our male colleagues.
— Chantel Jennings (@ChantelJennings) October 4, 2017
every woman in every field has stories like this; they’re just not usually on camera
— Natalie Weiner (@natalieweiner) October 4, 2017
Oh Cam, don’t worry – I don’t talk routes – I talk man v zone, single high safety, 3 man rush, 4-3 v 3-4 – lemme know if you need a hand. https://t.co/EoywUWx1m0
— Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) October 5, 2017
For the @NFL and its teams to release statements preaching equality, then have one of its stars stand at a podium and say something like this is disgusting. https://t.co/W3nlPKdGTv
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) October 4, 2017
This was commonplace in the 1980s, unfortunately. To hear it now, from a young man, is reprehensible. #CamNewton https://t.co/G53jnNx0bf
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) October 4, 2017
Oh come on. Welcome to 2017 Cam Newton, women have been covering sports for decades. @JourdanRodrigue deserves better than that. https://t.co/ofeu23Xq6J
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) October 4, 2017
Anyway cool, good talk. Back to watching film. Got to try to fill my lady brain with all these Xs and Os.
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) October 4, 2017
I'm tired of being disappointed by men who care deeply about race but don't care about sexism.
— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) October 4, 2017
Cam's comments are a reminder that, despite well-intentioned advice, most women working in sports-media can't forget they are women.
— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) October 4, 2017
Just finished today's @NFLTotalAccess– for which the producer, sr producer, sr coordinating producer & segment producer were women. #funny pic.twitter.com/1g4dq9nN67
— Lindsay Rhodes (@lindsay_rhodes) October 5, 2017
The Panthers’ response was that Newton “expressed regret” for his comments, but no formal apology had been issued by the QB nor the franchise four hours after the remarks were made.
