Did Media Overreact to Cam Newton's Laughter at Female Reporter?

During a press conference on Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers beat writer for The Charlotte Observer, Jourdan Rodrigue asked quarterback Cam Newton about his receivers' improved route-running abilities. He smirked and called the question "funny" coming from "a female."

Reaction from the cable sports networks and the Panther organization along with the NFL have been critical of Cam Newton.

Many think Cam Newton's comments to a Panthers reporter, on Wednesday, crossed the line. Here's NFL's take, and mine-- What's yours? @WNCN pic.twitter.com/J53q8lNJwC

— Jeff Jones (@JeffJonesSports) October 5, 2017

• But could it be that Cam Newton was overly impressed by the content of the question? 
• Could it be that he gets a ton of dumb questions from male reporters all time AND the best question he has gotten in a long time comes from a female? 
• Could it be that he used "funny" as a slang term, as in "that's crazy"?
• Could it be that everyone missed the part where he gave a well thought out and respectful response to the question?
• Could it be that the reporter was "offended" because she is not totally confident in herself in the male dominated world of sports reporting?

Here's the video of Cam Newton saying "it's funny to hear a female talk about routes" pic.twitter.com/hd9Kg4CCeu

— Carlin & Reese (@CarlinReeseWIP) October 4, 2017

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 took it as it’s crazy to hear a woman with football knowledge. I don’t think he meant it in a mean way.

— RadassBadass (@RadassBadass) October 4, 2017

But, why is that crazy? Football is not difficult to understand without participating. It's not rocket science. Stop trying to defend him.

— Scott Leonard (@scotthaleonard) October 4, 2017

Because it’s an all male sport so it’s cool to hear it. Crazy isn’t bad. It’s more like “wow you know about that that’s crazy” it’s slang

— RadassBadass (@RadassBadass) October 4, 2017

She's also a journalist who writes about football.  Why would it ever be "crazy" or surprising that she knows absolute basic football stuff?

— Scott Leonard (@scotthaleonard) October 4, 2017

If you replace "a female" with Cam Newton and replace "about routes" with "anything"....... then ....i wholeheartedly agree https://t.co/FDhUAsfv7g

— Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) October 4, 2017

all the women upset about Cam Newton's comment probably don't even know what routes are let alone watch football

— Cameron Wallace (@cam_wallaceee) October 5, 2017

"I'm disappointed. It feeds into an old, outdated stereotype that women shouldn't be in a male-dominated field." — @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/OTDkYgXgWe

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) October 5, 2017

"Unfortunately as a woman, you have to be smarter…you have no room for mistakes." —@JoyTaylorTalks reacts to Cam laughing at female reporter pic.twitter.com/xRDqZmxNjk

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) October 5, 2017

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UPDATE: After our original post above, there was some background on the reporter that she had to apologize for. Also Cam endorsement deal with Dannnon Yogurt has ended. Sounds like a rush to judgment. Ultimately Cam Newton apologized for his comments this evening via the video below.

pic.twitter.com/D3abYhggyH

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 5, 2017

Not a Cam Newton fan, I thought it was a good question, not from a man. So it was a impressive funny to me @JordanRodrigue @Panthers @NFL pic.twitter.com/m4BOB3mI0C

— Azul 🐲 (@DodgerbluDragon) October 5, 2017

@theobserver Why aren't you firing @JordanRodrigue for her racist comments and using the N word? I'll never listen to another thing she says pic.twitter.com/EcMDKVyTSF

— Julie Post (@Jules_Post) October 5, 2017

'Shocked and disheartened' — Dannon cuts ties with Cam Newton over his 'sexist and disparaging' remarks towards Jourdan Rodrigue pic.twitter.com/AC8ucf353s

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 5, 2017

pic.twitter.com/Rwxzcu883T

— Cameron Newton (@CameronNewton) October 6, 2017