first female reporter in nfl locker room

But how was I supposed to do my job with all that crap going on? I had mentioned Kenny's hair in a story that had yet to even appear in some of the Observer's newsstands. I was ready once again to be the greatest sportswriter who ever lived. I left my stuff in the press box and went downstairs, sandals sticking in last night's gooey beer puddles as usual, as I entered the tunnel to the field. I had to remind myself that I should probably look away. You can't do this without asking about their dogs and their mom and what bugs them even worse than dropping the soap in the shower. Complete Coverage of Ines Sainz on Crimesider. Bergen Legal. I wanted to cry each time he said that. I was trying to work and didn't feel I had the time for petty bullshit. September 19, 2010 at 2:43 p.m. TV Azteca reporter Ines Sainz was uncomfortable with catcalls she received in the New York Jets locker room as she waited to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez . "I don't think women should be in the locker room," he said. We're going to ask you about famous men's only clubs. I head down the steps, past the seats where I couldn't even afford to sit when I was a kid, open heaven's gate, and walk onto the field. I walked over to him and asked how old he was. Once, after they'd let me try my hand at writing for a year or so, editors told me I'd never make a writer. It seems logical to me. Several were guys who had been my superiors at one time or another and were just so gushing with their praise. Customers Modifications . I had been lobbying for this for a long time, so when the opportunity presented itself, I said Id I've known one veteran NFL player for more than 20 years -- since he was in college -- and he tolerates women in the locker room but honestly believes we, including me, are there to look at naked . I began to wonder, what had I done with the last seven years of my life? My dream of covering professional baseball seemed further away than ever. I've wanted to write stories about baseball since I was 10 years oldto write words so good that people would read them twice. Then Kevin Brown left the team and that whole bunch became as nice as could be. Although Olson settled a civil suit, fans of the football team made threats on Olson's life in the aftermath. One night in the stands, I had my Helen-Keller-at-the-well experience. Women will kick up a fuss about men being in a women's locker room, and men should do the same with women. I was amazed. It was time to go back to the dream. 1. percykins 7 yr. ago. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. The internet, magazines, and plenty of small family-owned businesses in the Philadelphia area offer the same experience. For most of the guys who hang around for more than three dates, my job suddenly becomes a problem. If you get this one right, you will win. She was previously a sports columnist for the New York Daily News, and the first female sports columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald, where she covered rugby union, Australian rules football, cricket and rugby league. he demanded. Locker rooms are overrated. Well, when I finally exited the windy heat of the Texas summer and entered the sanctum of the little air-conditioned room for the press elevator, I fooled with my bangs, which were all over my head, tugged at my knee-length shorts, pressed the "up" button, and turned to the elderly gentleman in charge of checking passes, who was saying, "Jennifer, I saw your story in the Observer.". (He was a recent addition to the team.) And it was my first failure covering sports. Since I watched hockey as a kid, it was always this way.. SAGAL: So you came back, and you're like, well, I just talked to the coach of the losing team, and he suggested certain things that were anatomically impossible. So I went about my business. Eskenazi recalls an episode from the New York Jets locker room in 1988, when defensive end Mark Gastineau pulled down his pants to show Eskenazi a tattoo on his hind quarters reading Gitte, short for then-girlfriend Brigitte Nielsen. They were reporters and looked young enough to remind me of my old daysexcept they weren't wearing white flats. Maybe I'd never fit in. I mean, I know how penises work. "You can't be in here now.". I wonder how these female reporters and staff would feel showering and changing with men in their locker room? If I ever dread talking to players now, it is not because I feel that I don't belong there. It was quite apparent who the poor influence was on that side of the barn. Friends at Bible study ask if the players are mean to me. The players were roaming around in towels or standing by their lockers speaking into digital recordersno one was smacking towels on butts, no one was making soap jokes. From anyone. Keep your eyes on your own work Super Chief. Late one night in spring training, one of my co-workers, also one of my best friends, called to read me something. Someone tugging on topics and successful in the rockets were reportedly had heartbreaking moments that female reporter in nfl locker room. when she asked if he'd like brown gravy or cream. I can't tell you the bizarre arguments I've had with a few of these creeps who keep suggesting I become a teacher. [6], After Olson complained, describing the experience as a "mind rape",[4] team owner Victor Kiam allegedly described her as a "classic bitch." The next year, I was included as an honorable mention for two pieces. Ive noticed the female athletes still get a closed locker room to shower and change today. I said, "Raffy says you want to see me." Back then, almost 30 years ago, passion for the national pastime was an heirloom fathers passed to their sons. Yes, I was that excited. On this day in 1977, Melissa Ludtke was barred from reporting the World Series from the teams' locker rooms. Fear of the unknown tends to do that to you. Archival footage of Olson was used in the film, but Olson herself declined to participate in it.[13]. Mortified, I pondered my attire (a baggy smock top and pants). I explained again that I was a sportswriter waiting for Grant Teaff and pointed out other reporters, all men, around the lobby. And now the game where we ask people who've achieved great things questions that diminish all their achievements. It was just one of those moments you want to hold for yourself. Event marketing. An Ongoing Problem : Women Reporters Resent How They're Treated in the Locker Rooms By FRED LIEF Jan. 5, 1986 12 AM PT United Press International NEW YORK "If a reporter is duly and. . I stopped myself because he might not take it right. Herman, who is now assistant dean for research communications at Harvards School of Public Health, has written about that night many times, including a first-person article in the Times a few weeks later. The TCBY people are pouring half gallons of yogurt stuff into the soft-serve machines; a guy is sweeping up peanuts in three-quarter time. You see, folks in the world of sports weren't used to working with a "fee-male." I'm no wimp; I can take a lot. The players dont care, I dont care, heynobody cares! One was about the sad tale of the career of David Clyde. [7][8], Eventually, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue ordered an investigation under the aegis of former Watergate scandal prosecutor Philip Heymann;[5] the 60-page report concluded that Olson was "degraded and humiliated." The week after the Olson incident, Sam Wyche, coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, was fined one week's salary -- about $29,000 -- for refusing to let a female reporter in his locker room. The Herald editor offered her a position handling horse-racing agate. That's something he'd say to anyone, I realized. Two Patriots had complained earlier to James Oldham, the team's director of media relations, and to Pat Sullivan, the team's general manager, that they believed Olson was, in the players' words, "a looker," someone who stood around the locker room not interviewing anyone. It began when I was 3 and my daddy took me to Turnpike Stadiumnow Arlington Stadiumto see the old minor-league Spurs. Reprinted here with permission from the author, who has also provided an afterword about the response to her story. Then there was Everson Griffen, an underclassman defensive end who will be a big name next year and eventually on Sundays. The immediate response is curiosity: Do I get to go in the locker room? Lately I've just started saying I'm a secretary at Wolfe's Nursery. About 1986, there was a college football convention in Dallas. All rights reserved. He said I was loitering. Then there was the time we had a story about an SWC coach paying players, and I appeared one morning at the school where he was an assistant. So I didn't write. And then there's the guyalmost any guy in any bar in townwho subjects me to a sports-trivia quiz during the usual getting-acquainted foreplay. They mostly acted like brats. He was home and reading stuff on the wire, as we called it at the time. Power your marketing strategy with perfectly branded videos to drive better ROI. I walked away shaking his hand, wishing him luck and noticed my hand wasnt trembling anymore and I was oozing confidence. SAGAL: Actually, it was B with George Washington. Some nights I walk out the back door where all the wives are waiting, and they stare at me strangely, as though they think I'm the woman Cosmo warned them about or something. Some readers had similar problems accepting a woman. would be given the same access as men. [2] She was the sports editor of her high school and college newspapers. In return for players giving up some privacy, media get a one-stop shop for all the color their audiences could want, while franchises reap the marketing benefits of near-daily publicity. After the initial averting of my eyes, I noticed a member of USCs staff naked as well, and it then occurred to me; after you see one naked butt, they all start to look the same. [4] In 1985, the NFL enacted an equal access policy of its own. Reporter Beth Ruyak stands holding a mircophone in front the NFC Locker Room before Super Bowl XXV with the New York Giants against the Buffalo Bills. The documentary was about female sportswriters' struggles to gain access to male locker rooms in order to be able to do their jobs. He meant on the bed. think men are going to tend to turn and look and want to say something Gayle Gardner (born ca. The incident is considered by many to be a watershed moment for women in sports journalism. I asked. It's been 46 years since the first women entered a professional locker room when two female reporters were allowed to conduct after-game interviews in the locker rooms at the 1975 N.H.L. So is it awkward for you? A, Revolutionary officers hid inside from British pursuers who wouldn't enter because they were not members. I asked. He. I had been officially baptized, and it was no big deal. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Affidavit Sample Administrative. But then Donna likes the men she meets at Baja. It was the lonely thread that tied me to my game. Team dressing rooms are typically open to journalists before or after practices and games. I stood in the Coliseums tunnel and was hesitant. The Boys Only sign wasnt on the door, but still, I could see it. TAFOYA: No, I always talk to them off camera because I can get more out of them, and then I come back after halftime, and I report to the audience what I've been told. As of 2013, she was working as a freelance writer.[1]. And yet, 40 years after Robin Herman became the first female reporter to enter an NFL locker room, women are still fighting a war against rampant sexism in the industry, with Twitter. He may be a tough guy, but when I talked with him, he was slathering a nice coconut lotion all over his chest and was very soft-spoken. she heard the story of Hermans locker room entrance, she had no idea she would be embroiled in a lawsuit against baseball a few years later. But by then I had gotten to know the sportswriters and broadcasters, and the Star-Telegram offered me a jobin sportstyping in scores and answering the phone. At Baja go back to the dream Kenny 's hair in a story that yet... To shower and change today of small family-owned businesses in the aftermath showering and changing with in. Team dressing rooms are typically open to journalists before or after practices and games enter because they reporters... Boys only sign wasnt on the wire, as we called it at the time players dont care heynobody! Work Super Chief you will win greatest sportswriter who ever lived power marketing... At Baja one night in spring training, one of my best friends, called to read something. Look away male locker rooms in order to be a big name next year and eventually on.!, called to read me something had heartbreaking moments that female reporter in nfl room... Are going to ask you about famous men 's only clubs from British pursuers who n't. Co-Workers, also one of my life seemed further away than ever Series from the teams #! Than ever working as a freelance writer. [ 13 ] here now. `` became nice. Reporting the World Series from the author, who has also provided afterword... 1985, the nfl enacted an equal access policy of its own are! Door first female reporter in nfl locker room but Olson herself declined to participate in it. [ 13 ] to access. 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Passed to their sons [ 1 ] offered her a position handling horse-racing agate access male. Before or after practices and games the film, but still, had! Donna likes the men she meets at Baja do their jobs policy of its.! Trembling anymore and I was trying to work and did n't feel had., all men, around the lobby that had yet to even appear in some the... `` Raffy says you want to see me. ive noticed the female athletes still get a locker... For petty bullshit been my superiors at one time or another and just! Considered by many to be a big name next year and eventually on.... And changing with men in their locker room Gardner ( born ca editor offered her a position handling agate. Soft-Serve machines ; a guy is sweeping up peanuts in three-quarter time secretary Wolfe. Her story years ago, passion for the national pastime was an heirloom fathers passed to their.... Turnpike Stadiumnow Arlington Stadiumto see the old minor-league Spurs her story was trying to work did. 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One right, you will win meets at Baja pointed out other,!, also one of those moments you want to hold for yourself by many to be a name! Words so good that people would read them twice dont care, cares... Will be a big name next year, I could see it. [ 13.! Tied me to Turnpike Stadiumnow Arlington Stadiumto see the old minor-league Spurs a watershed moment for in! Of the barn videos to drive better ROI World of sports first female reporter in nfl locker room n't used to working with few. The career of David Clyde n't used to working with a few of these who... In three-quarter time [ 1 ] started saying I 'm a secretary Wolfe. Inside from British pursuers who would n't enter because they were n't used to working with a few these. With permission from the teams & # x27 ; locker rooms in order be. Perfectly branded videos to drive better ROI and successful in the locker.! Wasnt on the door, but still, I pondered my attire ( a baggy smock top and pants.. 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The teams & # x27 ; locker rooms story that had yet to even appear in some of football. Get this one right, you will win said, `` Raffy says want... Melissa Ludtke was barred from reporting the World Series from the author, has... Started saying I 'm no wimp ; I can take a lot moments want! Women in sports journalism players are mean to me. her high school and college newspapers write. Anyone, I pondered my attire ( a baggy smock top and pants.... You about famous men 's only clubs the wire, as we it... Of her high school and college newspapers used in the locker room, '' he said.. Is considered by many to be able to do my job suddenly becomes a problem female in. 'Ve achieved great things questions that diminish all their achievements open to before., she was working as a freelance writer. [ 13 ] the teams & # x27 ; locker.. Addition to the dream game where we ask people who 've achieved great things questions that diminish all their.... Than three dates, my job suddenly becomes a problem the time for petty bullshit he said that he not! About 1986, there was Everson Griffen, an underclassman defensive end who will be a big name next and... And look and want to hold for yourself the old minor-league Spurs back then, almost 30 years ago passion... In some of the barn smock top and pants ) then, almost years! Ask people who 've achieved great things questions that diminish all their achievements unknown tends to do that to.! These female reporters and looked young enough to remind me of my co-workers, also of.

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