NFL'S Jets Harass Azteca Reporter Ines Sainz

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright September 16, 2010
All Rights Reserved.                                

            When 32-year-old Mexican TV Azteca report Ines Sainz walked into the New York Jets locker room after Saturday practice Sept. 11 looking to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez, a number unnamed players made unwanted catcalls, leaving the reporter sexually harassed.  Jets’ owner Woody Johnson apologized Sept. 12 to Sainz and “stressed to Ines that he expects all members of Jets’ organization to conduct themselves in a professional manner,” essentially admitting his players acted like boors in front of the blond former Miss. Universe contestant.   NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed that the League was investigating the incident Saturday night, prompting the Jets to mention the incident before Sunday’s painful one-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens.  Growing influence of female reporters in male-dominated sports requires teams to check inappropriate behavior at the door.

            NFL president Roger Goodell promised that his office “will continue to work with the “League” to gather the facts and take appropriate steps necessary to maintain a respectful environment to the media.”   After the Sept. 11 incident, Sainz tweeted, “I’m dying of embarrassment,” complaining of the crude catcalls to which she was exposed after the Jets’ practice at the Florham Park, New Jersey.  She said she wanted to “cover her ears,” responding to the verbal barrage that crossed the line into sexual harassment.  Goodell called the harassment reports “troubling” allegations, vowing to get to the bottom to what happened.  Sports talk shows blamed Sainz for her “provocative” dress, leaving hapless players vulnerable to testosterone-driven behavior.  “We’ve had contact with the team multiple times and are moving very aggressively to establish the facts,” said Aiello.

            Since there’s no NFL dress code for female reporters, Ines had every right to dress as she wishes, regardless of the consequences.  Covering her body with sweat clothes was no guarantee that she wouldn’t get noticed by ever-observant NFL players.  Suggesting that she dressed provocatively and elicited a predictable response doesn’t excuse any male, in any setting, from not crossing the line.  Sexually-related gestures and verbalizations qualify as sexual harassment in any setting.  No federal or state law makes exceptions for male amateur or professional athletes, simply because they’re prone toward hormonally-driven behavior.  Federal and state sexual harassment laws—or other laws for that matter—require free will and personal responsibility, urging all parties, male or female, to show respect for the opposite and same sex, drawing a line for appropriate behavior.

            High profile date-rape type cases illustrate the extremes to which sexual harassment laws apply across a variety of settings.  When former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was accused of raping 18-year-old former Miss Black Rhode Island Desiree Washington in his Indianapolis hotel room late-night July 27, 1991, his defense insisted Tyson’s sexual advances were entirely consensual.  A predominantly white Indianapolis jury found Tyson guilty of rape Feb. 10, 1992, the sports world was divided over whether the 18-year-old’s presence late-night in the former champ’s hotel room provided exculpatory information.  Tyson found out the hard way that the time, place and attire have nothing to do with consensual sex or rape.  Now the New York Jets must learn the same lesson that a female reporter’s looks or attire have nothing to do with provoking sexual harassment.

            All individuals, including athletes, must accept the risks and rewards of living in a free society.  Males and females dress as they wish, showing more skin or less, in whatever settings they choose.  Sainz dress or looks in the Jets’ locker room had nothing to do with inappropriate and unprofessional conduct by professional athletes.  “I’m in the locker room of the Jets waiting for Mark Sanchez while trying no to look anywhere!” Sainz tweeted, showing her discomfort from the harassing catcalls creating a hostile environment locker room environment.  “Jeans and a white button-up blouse [are] in no way inappropriate,” said Sainz, rejecting suggestions that her appearance provoked the sexual harassment from Jets’ players.  Professional or amateur athletes must show better restraint or face potentially sexual harassment claims.  No female, dressed in anyway or in any setting, should feel intimidated.

            No female reporter or any other job should feel intimidated by male reactions to their dress or appearance.  Sainz’ physical beauty or attire had nothing to do with the Jets’ inappropriate behavior in their locker room.  Male athletes should be given proper sensitivity training to avoid the kind of embarrassing incident that occurred after the Jets’ Sept. 11 practice.  Talk shows do professional and amateur sports a disservice suggesting that provocative looks and dress caused the latest incident.  Jets’ players need to show more restraint and respect for female reporters seeking interviews inside the locker room.  Accusing attractive female reporters of provocative behavior turns the current sexual harassment laws on its head.  Free will and personal responsibility requires all parties to show respect for the opposite sex.  There’s simply no excuse for boorish behavior other than to condemn and stop it.

About the Author    

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2012 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.