Former Auburn and current Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton fell under intense scrutiny on Wednesday when he laughed at Jourdan Rodrigue, a reporter for the Charlotte Observer, for asking him about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ routes.

“It’s funny to hear females talk about routes,” Newton said.

That comment, which sparked vast criticism and a loss of sponsorship deals, was one Newton now says he regrets tremendously.

Newton released an apology video on Twitter Thursday night. Here’s a transcript of what he said, with the video posted below:

After careful thought, I understand that my word choice was extremely degrading and disrespectful to women. To be honest, that wasn’t my intention. If you are a person who took offense to what I said, I sincerely apologize to you.

I’m a man who tries to be a positive role model in my community and use my platform to inspire others. I take ownership to everything that comes with that, and what I did was extremely unacceptable.

I’m a father to two beautiful daughters, and at their age I try to instill in them that they can do and be anything that they want to be. During this whole process, I’ve already lost sponsors and countless fans, and I realize that the joke is really on me. I’ve learned a valuable lesson from this. To the young people who see this, I hope that you learn something from this, as well. Don’t be like me. Be better than me.

To the reporters, to the journalists, to the moms, the super-moms, to the daughters, the sisters and women all around the world, I sincerely apologize and hope that you can find the kindness in your heart to forgive me.