Panthers quarterback Cam Newton laughs at reporter: 'It's funny to hear a female talk about routes'

— -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton laughed at a question from a female reporter Wednesday, noting that it was "funny" to hear a woman pose it.

At a press conference earlier today, Charlotte Observer sportswriter Jourdan Rodrigue asked Newton about his teammate's routes, eliciting a smile from the NFL player.

"It's funny to hear a female talk about routes," he said, before answering.

"I don't think it's 'funny' to be female and talk about routes," she responded on Twitter. "I think it's my job."

After video footage of Newton's comments went viral, critics took aim at the NFL player on social media. The Association for Women in Sports Media, a nonprofit to support women who work in sports journalism, also issued a statement slamming Newton's words.

"AWSM is very discouraged by Cam Newton's disrespectful remarks and actions directed to a female reporter," the organization's statement read. "As a watchdog group, AWSM demands fair treatment and positive workplace environments for women working in sports media."

Panthers director of communications Steven Drummond, who did not immediately comment when contacted by ABC News, told ESPN in a statement that Newton and Rodrigue "had a conversation where he expressed regret for using those words."

Rodrigue, however, tweeted that she had another conversation with Newton afterward "and it was worse."

"We strive as a department to make the environment for media comfortable for everyone covering the team," Drummond added.