NFL boss Roger Goodell was demanding answers Sunday night from Jets’ players and coaches accused of subjecting a female sports reporter to sexist locker room conduct.
As they prepare for their season opener Monday night, Gang Green is dealing with a burgeoning scandal over the treatment of Ines Sainz, a sports reporter for TV Azteca of Mexico, during a weekend practice.
Sainz, 32, a former Miss Universe contestant, complained she was bombarded with catcalls and boorish antics at the Jets’ New Jersey training facility to the extent she wanted to “cover my ears.”
“I’m dying of embarrassment!” Sainz tweeted in Spanish.
Goodell immediately ordered an investigation into the “troubling” allegations, which were addressed in a team meeting Sunday night.
“We’ve had contact with the team multiple times and are moving very aggressively to establish the facts,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.
Jets’ owner Woody Johnson called Sainz to hear her side of the story and assure her the team will “take any appropriate steps necessary to maintain a respectful environment for the media.”
“He stressed to Ines that he expects all members of the Jets organization to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times,” the Jets said in a statement.
Sainz went to the Jets’ Florham Park practice field Saturday to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez. But while waiting for Sanchez, she was blitzed with reprehensible behavior.
Players and coaches seemed to intentionally overthrow passes in her direction, whistled at her, openly ogled her and blocked her path as she attempted to walk away.
Linebacker Jason Taylor reportedly volunteered for the passing drill in hopes of getting near Sainz. Defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman fueled the antics, tossing pigskins in Sainz’s direction.
Nose tackle Kris Jenkins shouted: “Don’t let her act like she doesn’t know English. She speaks English.”
As the harassment went on, Sainz avoided eye contact with players, tweeting, “I am in the locker room of the Jets waiting for Mark Sanchez while trying not to look anywhere!”
After another female reporter showed support for Sainz, Jenkins yelled, “This is our locker room!”
Sainz defended her appearance at the practice session, insisting she dressed modestly. “Jeans and a white button-up blouse [are] in no way inappropriate,” she tweeted, while posting a photo of her attire.
The incident sparked a complaint to the NFL from the Association for Women in Sports Media, saying, “Women in sports media [should be] treated respectfully, equally and professionally while working in the locker room.”
