What does NFL stand for today?

Many recent imperfect activities have been exploited this season in the NFL. But there have also been breakthroughs, too. Beth Mowins, a play-by-play announcer and sports journalist for CBS and ESPN, became the first female to commentate on a televised football game in 30 years. However, the inclusion of women in the NFL, whether it’s commentating, spectating, or in a reporting setting, causes some people to disagree on whether women can be part of a football league, in any way, great or small.

On Wednesday, October 4th, during a press conference, a female reporter named Jourdan Rodrigue asked Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton a question about routes.

To many’s surprise, Newton responded with a smile, laugh, and then saying: “It’s funny to hear a female talking about routes. Like, it’s funny.”

After the conference, Rodrigue confronted Newton, but she said she did not receive an apology.

A few days later Newton posted a video on his Twitter of him apologizing, in general, to anyone he offended with the comment he made. He stated that his remark was degrading and disrespectful, he will take full ownership of what he said and accept what consequences bring, and so on.

Newton lost several sponsors due to this comment, but he understands why. He addresses multiple groups of women including reporters, journalists, mothers, daughters, and sisters, saying that he sincerely apologizes for what he did.

Although Newton never directly apologizes to Rodrigue, it is evident that she is the reason for the video.

Not even a full week after the video was posted, Newton could not let the tension simmer and had to discuss the issue again.

Following a Panthers win against the Detroit Lions, he said “it was a lesson learned for me this whole week.”

“My sarcasm trying to give somebody kind of a compliment turned in ways I never would have even imagined,” Newton said.

It seems that he has put this issue behind him, according to CBS Sports, and he is now focusing purely on football; however, he realizes his mistakes and sets them aside.

“At the end of the day, you still have to be a professional about certain things. So I couldn’t feel sorry for myself knowing that certain things took place that was out of my control,” Newton said.

Newton finished with, “But at the end of the day, you live and you learn.”