On Wednesday, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was asked by Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue about wide receiver Devin Funchess embracing the physicality of the routes he was running this year. Newton smiled and said, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes.” He then made another face, paused and repeated, “It’s funny.” There wasn’t much gray area with the implication: Because Rodrigue is a woman — or a “female,” as Newton said — it was funny to Newton that she would ask such a question.