Posted by Jack
A female reporter was interviewing Cam Newton and her question involved a technical term about routes. Trying to be humorous, Newton responded by saying, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes,” he then chuckled.
Seeing a her deadpan expression, he said, “It’s funny,” before going on to answer Rodrigue’s question.
Humorless Rodriguez said, “I don’t think it’s “funny” to be a female and talk about routes. I think it’s my job,” Rodrigue tweeted following the end of the press conference.
Newton has since “expressed his regret” over the incident, according to a statement from Panthers spokesman, Steven Drummond.
“This afternoon, I did my job as an NFL beat writer and asked Cam Newton a question about one of his receivers.
“I was dismayed by his response, which not only belittled me but countless other women before me and beside me who work in similar jobs,” Rodrigue said in a statement following the press conference.
“I sought Mr. Newton out as he left the locker room a few minutes later. He did not apologize for his comments.”
Newton’s comments sparked a backlash on social media.
No doubt this female will eventually develop some kind of psychological trauma from this horrible verbal assault. Oh, the humanity of it all, what a tragedy! Perhaps in the future the NFL should have a designated safe space in the locker room or nearby just for the lady reporters like Rodrique. Many are calling for the firing of Newton.
And for more on the ideas of NFL players . . .
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/5/nfl-players-union-teamed-george-soros-fund-leftist/
Anything associated with Soros is NOT good for the country. Guess that now includes the NFL . . . . . .
Well at least the players union, which may be even worse for the political left. They can’t try to place the onus for the backlash on the wealthy corporate owners.
Soros…the radical left…all they seem to want to do is destroy things.
After more than forty years of badgering and playing the victim isn’t, time feminists quit acting like poor, picked on little girls?
Isn’t it time some of them quit riding their husbands coat tails (Hillary)?
Isn’t it time they took responsibility for the level of success they have achieved and realized that not everyone gets to make it to the “top”…not even most men?
Isn’t it time they lightened up and developed a sense of humor?
The schtick has become pedantic…and boring!
Her tweet did not indicate any “psychological trauma” to me, just justified annoyance. It was an annoying and rude statement on Newton’s part. Hardly a “horrible verbal assault,” just a minor crappy comment. It seems like you’re underestimating how often women deal with minor crappy comments like this; no rational woman is going to be meaningfully “triggered” by it, but they have every right to be annoyed. He definitely should not be fired for it, but I think he should apologize.
It was an unsophisticated attempt at humor for a young man who is apparently a bit socially awkward.
She could have handled it more professionally since that’s her job.
Men get to experience being annoyed at work too…sometimes by women with chips on their shoulders who think their sex entitles them to be rude and demanding or gives them the power to get men fired. It’s like they think they have earned the right to bully their way to the top rather than relying on their talent, skills and performance.
Hillary is the perfect example of a woman who thinks she deserves a promotion because she’s a woman. It’s a toxic attitude and one much more damaging to women and the work place than an occasional annoying remark by a man.
Some of the women that have made it in a typically male environment (football!!!Hello!!!!) could learn a thing or two from the women of the forties and fifties in Hollywood and NASA who let the insults roll off their backs and kept pressing ahead in their careers (Betty Davis/the “Hidden Figures”).
I’m insulted by the whining and complaining of their younger counterparts.
Cam Newton’s apology was sincere, if somewhat coached, and I guess for the sake of the NFL, it was appropriate, since the NFL has adopted the “No More” motto to address domestic/date “violence.”
There was nothing unprofessional in her response, but given that you think the woman of today should just put up with sexism and not say anything about it because women had to do that in the 40s and 50s, I’m not surprised you think there was.
“…There was nothing unprofessional in her response”
Her job is not to promote herself or women. Her job is to interview her guest athlete and it was rude and unproductive to make his comment into something it was not meant to be. As I wrote…she could have asked him what he meant. She could have tried to direct the unfortunate comment to something more positive. Better yet, she could have smiled and challenged him as this young lady did…see video at link:
The reporter could learn a thing or two from this little girl. She had fun with the situation. She allowed him some space in her world…she didn’t go begging for space in his. She handled it with grace and aplomb.
Most men in Cams situation would have responded to such a come back with good humor and the bad gas in the situation would turn into a delightful moment. Also…Her response would have made good television! Isn’t that the point? Isn’t that the reporters job?
For heaven’s sake. In the work place women have won! It’s time to hang up the claws and learn to play with dignity. it’s time to respect the fact that men have welcomed women into what has been their world and enjoy the ride!!! It’s also time to quit being ridiculous and admit there are some things that men do well because of their gender and they should be allowed to do them without the burden of mean spirited females clawing at the door.
“…given that you think the woman of today should just put up with sexism and not say anything about it…”
That’s what YOU think I think. It is NOT what I think.
“…because women had to do that in the 40s and 50s…”
Boy did you miss the point! Try thinking outside of your “ism” belief systems. Expand your knowledge and experience. I assure you Betty Davis didn’t take any crap from those big powerful Hollywood moguls without putting up a good professional fight. Those women who “worked” their way into the engineering, math, and “computer” programs at NASA didn’t either.
The spirited women I admire from the forties and fifties (before the whiny feminists of my generation) had inner strength and purpose. They did not let things like a stupid remark define them or cause them to take their eye from the prize…and they succeeded in their goals! Sometimes it was difficult. So what? Life is difficult. If it isn’t a sexist remark it’s something else.
Actual sexual assault (report to the police today…not 15 to 30 years later) or harassment that’s meant to prevent a promotions or pay raise (report to appropriate staff or sue) is different.
This was not a remark or act that could truly harm the reporter or her career.
And women aren’t the only ones who get to “put up with” awkward or stupid remarks in the work place. Women aren’t the only ones that get to swallow crap from a superior…men do too! A hostile response only makes things worse. A responsible adult would find a way to handle the situations without causing an unnecessary incident. A smart one finds ways to get the upper hand or put the other guy in his place without causing an unnecessary incident. Her actions were not good for football OR her network. In my estimation she looked at least as foolish as he did.
Women have put themselves in a box. They are expected to perform for the cause in every situation. I won’t assist such an ignorant attitude.
Your argument that women should all respond to sexism in a specific way might be slightly more convincing if you actually believed Newton’s comment was sexist. It still wouldn’t be convincing, but it would give you at least some credibility on this topic. But since you can’t even concede it was a sexist remark, your notions about how this woman should have reacted to it are pretty much irrelevant.
Speaking of sexists – the Harvey Weinstein flap is growing, yet the media remains mum. Even the late-night hosts have their lips zipped.
Here’s a great article that lays it out and displays the hypocrisy of the Hollyweird Left who are so quick to point fingers at others:
http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2017/10/06/silence-complicity-powerful-said-nothing-harvey-weinsteins-alleged-victims-piled/
Great article. These women are responsible. They sold their souls for an opportunity to become a star and work in the industry. I’m not fully convinced the women are all innocent either. Hollywood is hot bed of free sexual expression…including pedophilia. there are no boundaries anymore…they do whatever they want or whatever will get them ahead in the movie business.
You don;t get to have it both ways and remain credible.
“I’m not fully convinced the women are all innocent either.”
Of course you aren’t.
Oh please! I lived through the sexual revolution. The culture changed dramatically and women openly celebrated their freedom to engage in casual sex and lewd conversation!
Women don’t get to have it both ways. They don’t get to be innocent and protected and sexually “just like men” at the same time.
I also watched Hollywood transform from a family friendly entertainment industry to an overt semi-porn industry in just over a decade. I watched the rise of drug use and the celebration of sex, porn, and drugs. One star revealed bowls of cocaine were on movie sets in the seventies, like a buffet! Child stars have reported sexual abuse that as adults now hey realize was exploitative, damaging, and destructive.
Much of Hollywood is a sewer and you’re naive enough to think that some of the women haven’t participated and encouraged this behavior?
Do you not know the difference between “having casual sex and engaging in lewd conversation” and sexual harassment?
Tina, great post and excellent suggestions to a thin skinned self promoting reporter.
Do to all the disrespect those high paid Adonis’s are showing to the counrty these days, I gave up on NFL viewing, and the sponsors are just wasting money trying to reach my family.
I didn’t take a knee if I disagreed with many of Obamas policies, if I did I would of had to buy some knee pads.
Apparently you’re not alone, MCS.
I’m there on the knee pads as well 🙂
Chris: “Your argument that women should all respond to sexism in a specific way might be slightly more convincing if you actually believed Newton’s comment was sexist.”
Chris I don’t give a rip of it was “sexist”…the woman wasn’t actually HARMED.
Women today have gotten ridiculous…they are attempting to control all speech and every situation. It can’t be done. And because they see a sexist behind every statement they look ridiculous!
“…your notions about how this woman should have reacted to it are pretty much irrelevant.”
Irrelevant to whom? Do you really imagine the modern feminists speak for all women?
Do you get how pompous and ridiculous that is if true?
She did not say she was harmed, nor did she act like she was harmed. She slapped down rudeness. You are the one overreacting here, not her.
Back to square one.
It is not her job to “slap down” rudeness.
I’m not only addressing this women and this incident. I am addressing the insane level of touchiness in today’s females and the manner in which they bring their personal attitudes and “cause” into the workplace and public space. Nobody watching signed up for her personal seminar or couch session.
And since women (especially those who lean left) often wait twenty or thirty years before issuing a complaint or filing a lawsuit I have little sympathy for their “bravery” in taking a stand.
So it’s bad when women wait to address sexism, and it’s bad when women respond to sexism immediately. Got it.
No one tuned in to the interviewer to watch a football player make an unfunny sexist joke, either, but that didn’t stop him from doing so. But you only have a problem with the journalist not knowing her place. For some reason.
The Weekly Standard, “The Human Stain: Why the Harvey Weinstein Story Is Worse Than You Think”:
On the flip side…and not to pick on Barbara Walters but to show the different standard…
Vanity Fair’s profile of Walters is interesting. She developed a work ethic early in life due to family circumstance:
…she was also a seventies “slut” (Joan Rivers), as her memoir reveals, she had many affairs.
And she apparently gets a pass when saying things no man would dare say today:
eonline: