NEW YORK • Quarterback Cam Newton apologised on Thursday for sexist comments to a woman reporter, saying they were "extremely degrading and disrespectful" and that he realised that the "joke is on me".

The Carolina Panthers star faced mounting criticism after his dismissive response to a question from Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue during a news conference on Wednesday.

In a video the National Football League (NFL) star posted on his Twitter account on Thursday night, Newton said he regretted saying what he did.

"I understand that my word choice was extremely degrading and disrespectful to women. And that was not my intention. If you are a person who took offence to what I said, then I sincerely apologise to you," he said.

"During this process, I lost sponsors and countless fans. I realise the joke is on me. Don't be like me. Be better than me."

He landed in hot water after remarking that it was "funny to hear a female" ask a question about passing routes.

"I don't think it's 'funny' to be a female and talk about routes. I think it's my job," Rodrigue wrote on Twitter, criticising Newton's reply.

On Thursday, Newton was dropped as a pitchman for Dannon yogurt. Dannon signed him to endorse the brand in 2015.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE