The theory that two wrongs don't make a right is especially true if you are Cam Newton but apparently not if you are the other wrong.
Newton, no stranger to criticism after he takes the podium, is being drawn and quartered and sort of put back together after his mean spirited response to Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue at a presser Wednesday afternoon.
Unless you live in a wi-fi-less cave, you are aware that the Carolina Panthers quarterback's snarky — sinister? — grinning answer to a female NFL beat reporter's question about players' routes was, "It's funny to hear a female talk about routes," with a distinct emphasis on the word "routes."
It definitely was not a good answer and called sexist in most circles.
On the other hand, Rodrigue’s offenses are some nasty tweets dug up by Black Sports Online where the 25 year-old extolled the humor of her father’s “super racist” jokes and used the N-word a few years ago. But not before she called out Newton after the presser and demanded respect face-to-face.
It definitely was not a good answer and called sexist in most circles.
Cam Newton: “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes.”— Max Marcilla (@MMarcilla98) October 4, 2017
Uh, that’s a really, really bad way to answer a legitimate question. (video via https://t.co/NOdIiKyJCb) pic.twitter.com/MaS4KVjuSV
On the other hand, Rodrigue’s offenses are some nasty tweets dug up by Black Sports Online where the 25 year-old extolled the humor of her father’s “super racist” jokes and used the N-word a few years ago. But not before she called out Newton after the presser and demanded respect face-to-face.
And while Newton’s seemingly humble and heartfelt apology 24 hours later made him a news and talk show hot topic for another day, Rodrigue’s feeble “I’m sorry” tweet or remarks were barely footnotes in these heated conversations. It was all about Cam and the fallout on him that was quick and costly.
The Dannon Company dropped the NFL star faster than you can say Oikos and before Newton had any chance to explain or apologize. Another sponsor Gatorade also issued a statement Thursday, saying, "Cam's comments were objectionable and disrespectful to all women and they do not reflect the values of our brand.”
Also piling on Newton were his Panthers front office, the NFL, ESPN and Sports Illustrated all who blistered Newton to the point he had no choice but to call an audible and make the apology video.
Meanwhile Rodrigue, who has been an NFL reporter since 2016, was set upon a pedestal as some sort of feminist darling and not the racist pariah she just might be as her dirty crumbs got swept under the rug like there was an racist expiration date on the vile posts.
So it begs the question: If Newton's lousy attempt at humor is perceived as sexism, why aren't Rodrigue's equally distasteful remarks and racial slurs seen just as offensive? I'm guessing the media, the NFL and most political groups are all just afraid of the yogurt eaters.
Meanwhile Rodrigue, who has been an NFL reporter since 2016, was set upon a pedestal as some sort of feminist darling and not the racist pariah she just might be as her dirty crumbs got swept under the rug like there was an racist expiration date on the vile posts.
So it begs the question: If Newton's lousy attempt at humor is perceived as sexism, why aren't Rodrigue's equally distasteful remarks and racial slurs seen just as offensive? I'm guessing the media, the NFL and most political groups are all just afraid of the yogurt eaters.
Newton has a history of verbal gaffes and surly behavior at the podium starting with his sometimes colorful and outlandish wardrobe. Whether it’s a twisted sense of humor or plain out disdain for the press, Newton must learn to censure himself when he is the center of attention.
The media has shown a history of crucifying then pink-slipping reporters and sports personalities for their racist remarks — whether the offending words are intentional or just perceived as such and this seems no different.
We all know the stories behind the age-old firings of Jimmy the Greek and Al Campanis but just recently, Terry Frei, a sports reporter for the Denver Post, sent a questionable tweet shortly after Japanese race car driver Takuma Sato hailed victory in the Indy 500 over Memorial day and was immediately canned.
Just last year Emily Austen, a 27 year-old Fox Sports reporter, was fired after making insensitive remarks about Mexican, Jewish and Chinese people.
And none of them even used the N-word!
Mike Persinger, Executive Editor of the Charlotte Observer, hinted to BSO that any discipline regarding Rodrigue's tweets would be handled internally — probably meaning we'll never know if there is any at all. She was reportedly at the Panthers training facility on Thursday.
On Thursday, the Pro Football Writers of America condemned Newton's comments, saying in a statement that the NFL player, "crossed the line."
I'm beginning to wonder who draws that line... the media or the sponsors? And maybe there is a second one... a line which represents a double standard.
We all know the stories behind the age-old firings of Jimmy the Greek and Al Campanis but just recently, Terry Frei, a sports reporter for the Denver Post, sent a questionable tweet shortly after Japanese race car driver Takuma Sato hailed victory in the Indy 500 over Memorial day and was immediately canned.
Just last year Emily Austen, a 27 year-old Fox Sports reporter, was fired after making insensitive remarks about Mexican, Jewish and Chinese people.
And none of them even used the N-word!
Mike Persinger, Executive Editor of the Charlotte Observer, hinted to BSO that any discipline regarding Rodrigue's tweets would be handled internally — probably meaning we'll never know if there is any at all. She was reportedly at the Panthers training facility on Thursday.
On Thursday, the Pro Football Writers of America condemned Newton's comments, saying in a statement that the NFL player, "crossed the line."
I'm beginning to wonder who draws that line... the media or the sponsors? And maybe there is a second one... a line which represents a double standard.
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