As evidenced by the HBO reality documentary series, Hard Knocks, the New York Jets walk a fine line between arrogance and confidence when it comes to assessing their chances of representing the AFC in the Super Bowl this season.
But if there is any veracity whatsoever to a stinging report about the team, then there can be absolutely no question that the boldness and brashness with which head coach Rex Ryan and company carry themselves inexcusably transformed grown men into dumb, immature jocks.
According to ESPN.com, the NFL is investigating a complaint made by the Association for Women in Sports Media against the Jets after a television reporter was subjected to footballs being thrown in her direction at practice and, later, players' catcalls inside the locker room.
The complaint was made on the behalf of Inés Sainz, a reporter for Mexico’s TV Azteca, who attended the team’s practice Saturday as a working member of the media. However, it appears that Sainz, a contestant in the 1997 Miss Universe Pageant, became victim to a hostile and unprofessional working environment as she attempted to carry out her duties.
In accounts provided by the New York Post, Jets defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman purposely overthrew footballs to players during a drill for defensive backs so that the passes would land near Sainz on the sideline.
This was followed by defensive lineman Jason Taylor, a husband and father of three children, volunteering to take part in the drills even though he isn't part of Thurman’s unit.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan, a husband and father of two sons himself, also got involved when he had Thurman run a pattern near the sideline and intentionally overthrew him in Sainz's direction.
If this wasn’t enough, Sainz was greeted by catcalls and hooting in the Jets locker room at the conclusion of practice to which defensive tackle Kris Jenkins declared “This is our locker room!” when Sainz was asked if she was OK.
"I die of embarrassment!", Sainz wrote in Spanish on her Twitter account. "I am in the locker room of the Jets waiting for Mark Sanchez while trying not to look to anywhere!"
Statements released by the Association of Women in Sports Media and the New York Jets indicated their clear intention to work closely with the NFL as this matter is investigated further.
Unfortunately, this general sense of entitlement on the part of today’s male professional athlete is a significant contributing factor in players like Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie fathering eight children with six different women and the divorce rate for NFL players averaging between 60 and 80 percent, which is higher than that of the general population.
What’s even more disappointing is that Rex Ryan and Dennis Thurman, the head coach and an assistant coach respectively, initiated and encouraged the aforementioned sophomoric behavior from the players they’re supposed to be leading both on and off the field.
If the allegations are true in this matter, a refreshing gesture on the part of Ryan, Thurman, Kris Jenkins, Jason Taylor and anyone else involved would be to own up to their hormone-induced lapse in judgment and individually apologize to Sainz for their unprofessional conduct.
But it’s more likely that arrogance and pride on the part of Gang Green won’t result in the adult and mature responses demanded because, as is always the case in professional sports, success on the field takes precedence over social responsibility.
Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a video example of where another Jets representative made it difficult for a female reporter to do her job.
NFL investigating NY Jets for Sexually Harassing Behavior toward Female Reporter
