Panthers' Rivera: Newton made a mistake

A day after Cam Newton made a controversial comment while responding to a female reporter's question during a press conference, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera addressed the incident.

"Cam made a mistake," Rivera said Thursday, according to The Associated Press' Steve Reed. "I understand he had a conversation where he pretty much said he shouldn't have said what he said. As far as I'm concerned, what I'd like to do is talk about getting ready for the Detroit Lions."

Newton remarked that it was "funny" to hear a question about passing routes from Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer because she was a woman, leading to a firestorm.

On Wednesday, Rodrigue contradicted a statement from the Panthers saying Newton had "expressed regret," indicating he hadn't apologized.

It didn't take long for Newton to feel the effects of the remark, as one of his sponsors announced it was dropping the quarterback Thursday.