Frustrated Newton abruptly walks out of press conference

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Quarterback Cam Newton abruptly walked out of Wednesday's press conference after he was asked about the Carolina Panthers lack of "chunk" plays.

Newton rolled his eyes at the reporter's question, asked for another question and then left the room.

Newton turned the ball over three times, two of which led to touchdowns, in the Panthers' 17-3 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

This season, Newton has thrown nine touchdown passes to 10 interceptions.

The Panthers released this statement: Cam didn't intend to be discourteous toward any specific media member. In his mind, after answering questions for nine minutes, he had fulfilled his obligations.

Newton declined to speak to reporters last week ahead of the Panthers road game against the Chicago Bears.

Panthers spokesman Steven Drummond said last Thursday the former league MVP gave no explanation as to why he wouldn't participate in his weekly news conference.

Drummond was seen speaking to Newton at his locker for several minutes during the team's open locker room session.

NFL players are subject to fines for not talking to the media.

Newton's decision came two weeks after he apologized for comments he said were "extremely degrading and disrespectful to women." Jourdan Rodrigue, the female reporter from the Charlotte Observer at whom Newton's sexist comments were directed, returned to work this week after taking time off.

When reporters entered the Panthers' locker room last Thursday, Newton had the volume so high on a sound system playing music, it made it difficult for other players to conduct interviews. He turned the music off after about 15 minutes.

When asked about Newton's decision to not speak to reporters last week, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said, "I thought he had a press conference today, but apparently not."

Wednesday wasn't the first time Newton cut short a news conference. His most publicized early exit followed a 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, when he walked out on reporters after answering only a handful of questions, mostly with short responses. He later admitted to being a "sore loser."

The Panthers (4-3) have struggled with completing passes of more than 20 yards this season, particularly the past two weeks in losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears. Newton was 1-for-6 with an interception on attempts of 20-plus yards in those games.

Associated Press