Sponsor drops Newton after sexist remark, Rivera wants to focus on Sunday game

CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - The backlash from a sexist comment made by Cam Newton on Wednesday has been swift. On Thursday, the Panthers quarterback lost an endorsement with Dannon Yogurt's 'Oikos.'

On Wednesday, reporter Jourdan Rodrigue was asking Newton about wide receiver Devin Funchess and how he seemed "to really embrace the physicality of his routes and getting those extra yards."

"Does that give you a little enjoyment to see him truck sticking people out there?" Rodrigue finished.

Newton laughed and responded, "I think it's funny to hear a female talk about routes."

RELATED: Cam Newton: It's funny to hear a 'female talk about routes'

Oikos, owned by The Dannon Company, posted on Twitter today, saying: "We’re disheartened by Cam Newton’s behavior, which we perceive as sexist. We shared our concerns with Cam & will no longer work with him."

They expanded the statement on Facebook, adding that the comment was "disparaging to all women," and "entirely inconsistent with our commitment to fostering equality and inclusion in every workplace."

Gatorade, who has also worked with Newton, released a statement saying, "Cam's comments were objectionable and disrespectful to all woman and they do no reflect the values of our brand. Gatorade fully supports woman who compete in, report on, coach for, or play any role in sport-- on or off the field."

The Association of Women in Sports Media also released a statement on Wednesday, saying "AWSM is very discouraged by Cam Newton's disrespectful remarks and actions directed to a female reporter during today's Carolina Panthers press conference. As a watchdog group, AWSM demands fair treatment and positive workplace environments for women working in sports media."

The firestorm that quickly spread on social media concerning the comment just won't go away, but that's not stopping Panthers head coach Ron Rivera from wanting his team to focus on the game.

In a press conference on Thursday, Rivera made it clear that he just wants to focus on the upcoming game.

"Well I think Cam made a mistake. I understand he had a conversation where he pretty much said that he shouldn't have said what he said. So, as far as I'm concerned what I'd like to do is talk about getting ready for the Detroit Lions who we play on Sunday,” Rivera said.