Play like a Jet. That’s what we saw with Hard Knocks this summer on HBO. Does “Play Like a Jet” mean harassing a female reporter in the locker room? We’ve seen this before with Lisa Olson with the New England Patriots in the mid-1980’s. She had to leave the New England area after being sexually harassed in the locker room and mistreated by fans. I like to think we’ve evolved from that, but when I heard about Ines Sainz of TV Azteca allegedly being harassed by members of the New York Jets, I just think back to that embarrassment with Lisa Olson.
Sainz has been sent to Super Bowl media days over the last few years by TV Azteca to ask various questions including one seeking marriage from Tom Brady.
But no one deserves to be harassed and have an environment that doesn’t preclude him/her from getting information. Apparently, the Jets hooted when Sainz entered the locker room hoping to interview QB Mark Sanchez. In addition during a practice, members of the Jets threw balls in her direction so they could get a better look at her. According to reports, Jason Taylor was involved.
According to Christine Brennan of USA Today, the Association of Women in Sports Media is asking the NFL to look into the incident and the NFL is indeed investigating. This is a story that isn’t going away and we’ll continue to monitor for developments.