first female reporter in nfl locker room

Franchises are increasingly fielding their own media teams to produce game stories and video interviewsmeaning more softball questionsjust as metro newspapers are cutting back. I'd had enough. SAGAL: And those pioneers were like, no, we're going, we're doing our job. Can the slump be permanent?". Getting the killer quote? She demanded the same access that male reporters had. Actually, I tell them, one of the most peculiar side effects of my job is that it seems to run off men in personal relationships. It gets a lot worse than the predictable . ", I falter, and he complains, "Hey, I thought you said you knew sports.". He. It may have been his first night. Later he admitted to calling her a "classy bitch. She is a frequent guest speaker at schools and colleges, and active in public schools' mentoring program for girls who hope to study journalism. I had started wandering longingly over to the sports department, just to talk about baseball. If they're usually not allowed in, I wouldn't expect the teams to apologize for enforcing normal rules. About 1987, I got crossways with the sports editor. My dream of covering professional baseball seemed further away than ever. The guys screamed at me and demanded to know if I was "on the rag" when I was surly; yet they could scream and be surly at me all they wanted. But now it was late September, and my editor wanted me to interview Mr. October about what it was like not to make the playoffs. Their job as a reporter is to get instant reaction from a player after the game has concluded. I just wanted to cover sports. Pleasure to have you. If I did ever fall hopelessly head over heels for one of these men, it would not be because I had noticed a pterodactyl-size penis, but for the same reasons I'd fall for anyone else. I almost said matter-of-factly, "You know, Kenny, you've got a fine head of hair." 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. SAGAL: So how did you get into the - how did you - I mean, I'm going to guess SAGAL: that it's harder for a woman to get into major league professional sports reporting than it is for a man. I had offered the story first to my sports editor, Mike Perry (standard newspaper policy). Its a professional setting, and if the reporter is professional, the whole experience is smooth as silk. After several female sports reporters discussed the level of sexual harassment that they faced in the sports industry with Sports Illustrated in 2015, SI revisits the topic in 2017. TAFOYA: I mean, you get to know every single coach and how he's going to respond to you in TAFOYA: that moment, and you just sort of brace for it. The first time I saw The Best American Sports Writing, I wasn't anywhere near good enough a writer to gain entry into that elite company. Take the blanket no-comment dished out by Dallas Cowboys star and alleged domestic abuser Greg Hardy after a game last year. ), "Hey, if you know so much about sports," he continues, "let's see if you can answer this question: Who was the last NFL running back to also play quarterback in an even-numbered Super Bowl? Ludtke said she constantly reminded people that she never demanded to go in a locker room. agree wrote: If a male reporter went into the womens locker room, all hell would break loose. SAGAL: I thought I'd bring you on and see what you had. All most know how to do is bitch about the Cowboys and Mavericks and Rangersabout their (a) record, (b) salaries, (c) coach or managerand praise the "kick-butt" barbecue they make before watching 18 hours of football on Sundays. We've invited Tafoya to play a game called "Enter at your own risk!" Former Eagles defensive lineman and Super Bowl LII champion Chris Long made an appearance on Jeff Pearlmans podcastTwo Writers Slinging Yang. I started out in the office, taking scores on the phone and taking heat from the guys. You're the person they throw down to as SAGAL: And you've got the reports in the sideline, well, this guy's injured, well, this guy feels this way. As I stood outside the locker room, it hit me like a lightning boltwait a minute, Bill Plaschke was in there getting killer quotes and I wasnt! She was 70. Its no big deal, and if you don't believe me, watch The Full Monty a couple of timesit gets old real fast and you don't even notice it anymore. When the coveted Rangers beat came open, I was passed over. I dont think you need to be in there when the athletes are down to their skivvies. Sept. 8, 1985 12 AM PT United Press International Sportswriter Donna Balancia had two team officials block her from the New York Giants' locker room after a recent preseason game. He had a very reasonable take on how most players are butt booty naked when media members come in: Heres what Id ask, and I used to talk to Jeff McLane about this in Philly. The Mavericks were a delight to be around even when pissed off. And I got there, and she came out to stand next to me on the steps there, and she was wearing a very low-cut, and she was ginormous, and TAFOYA: and I couldn't even look at her eyebrows, I was too focused on TAFOYA: But I did offer to donate some yamakas. I sent copies of their responses to the Rangers' front office. We shagged foul balls, but in retrospect, I guess we were more decorative than functional. She described the language used by players as "rude" and says she was "discomforted.". It was like putting the lid on something. Ludtke and Time Inc. filed a civil rights lawsuit months later. He starts parading around the locker room with his buttocks exposed, saying Gitte over and over again, Eskenazi says. instantly became the news and television cameras swung to them. What kind of a goob would they take me for if they knew? In 1978, Sports Illustrated reporter Melissa Ludtke won the right to practice journalism in the locker room of the New York Yankees, securing equal access to cover the same sports teams and. According to the Chicago Tribune, Briggs stands behind his comments. Except she and St. Cyr Whats more, players are increasingly media empires in and of themselves, lessening their incentive to cooperate with journalists. I have no idea why, except that Nolan Ryan and my daddy are my heroes, and I just have no need of seeing either one of their white heinies. 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. The exchange between Newton and Rodrigue rightfully spurred a much needed discussion about women and sports journalism, so I decided to ask three former NFL players to speak candidly about their views on women reporters. When men gather at bars and golf courses and any of the other traditional salt licks for male bonding, do they ask the gynecologist what Mrs. Holcombe's hooters look like? NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. He got an apology from the Hyatt; I got suspected of prostitution while waiting in a hotel lobby for Grant Teaff. The other night, there were two girls in the clubhouse after the game. Robin Herman, a gender barrier-breaking reporter for The New York Times who was the first female journalist to interview players in the locker room after an NHL game, has died. I was surprised to realize that some of the wounds still hurt. from NPR. So I didn't write. You know when the line has been crossed because you know about the culture that youve entered . He had leis, candles, and the whole altar thing going on in his locker. As one of the first female reporters to be allowed inside the NFL locker room, she has been a pioneer in her field. The male athletes dont. All-Star Game in Montreal. TAFOYA: No, it is, but the emotional rollercoaster of being a fan, it's just not worth it. Going to do my best. He ran into a dark office where I found him hiding under the desk. New York Times hockey reporter Robin Herman was a trailblazer, breaking down gender barriers by becoming the first female journalist to interview players inside a men's professional sports locker room in the U.S. On Tuesday, her husband former Times editor Paul Horvitz told the newspaper that she passed away from ovarian cancer. Needless to say, this was a must-listen from the jump. I compared my scar (a plate and six screws from a broken ankle) to Mark Tylers scar from his broken leg, with Mark proclaiming mine cooler.. I concluded my sports hiatus last year with a stint on a special projects news team, collaborating with another reporter on a series about Fort Worth's high infant-mortality rate. A feature on the woman who washes the Rangers' clothes was not out of the question. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. SAGAL: I thought, you know, when you turned around, he'd have the towel around his head to cover up his big eyes. "OK, you mean you've talked to Troy Aikman, and you didn't notice what a hunk he is?". I dont really think about it. Donna doesn't like politics, so she asks what it is I do for the paper again. Mine, firmer. Readmore, With the 65th overall pick, the Rangers chose Adam Tambellini, a 6-foot-2 center whose father and brother each played for the Islanders. Ludtke could gain access to baseball clubhouses to cover the World Series in 1978 and she wrote an Op-Ed piece for the Times when the New England Patriots were harassing Lisa Olson, a reporter for the Boston Herald at the time. The NFL also sent a memo to all 32 teams in the league Thursday reminding them of its equal access and conduct policy toward the media. For eight months, the editors refused to assign me any stories. Raffy said, "Hey, he wants to talk to you," pointing to Kenny Rogers. When the day finally came that she would break down a huge professional barrier, Robin Herman did not have much time to prepare. 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. We laughed and remembered when Desmond Reed finally scored a touchdown and he lit up telling me, I couldnt even enjoy it. Near the field, I can see it is Al Newman and somebody. Specific. My daddy and I saw our first major-league game together on Opening Night here in 1972. Yeah, my ode to the old stadium won it all. It's also tricky when you give one writer a piece that showcases him or her in very many words and photos. Apparently this happened at the morning budget meeting where "My Life in the Locker Room" was discussed at great length. Create and promote branded videos, host live events and webinars, and more. I was in the visiting clubhouse waiting to interview one of the Oakland A's this year when one of the players called, "Here, pussy"as though he were calling a cat. He was thrilled to get an interview, and was so polite and warm, I didnt realize he was wearing practically nothing while I spoke with him. "Jenn," he asked, "do you want to be treated like an 18-year-old kid or a woman?". For most of the guys who hang around for more than three dates, my job suddenly becomes a problem. I want you guys here when I make the game-winning kicks, and I realize that I got to have you guys here when I miss them. Her tires were slashed, she received hate mail and death threats, and her apartment was burglarized. The NFL launched an investigation into the incident after Sainz, a veteran reporter, claimed footballs were thrown in her direction by a Jets coach during a practice - seemingly deliberately -. And his eyes got to be like the size of paper plates because what I didn't notice was that he was buck naked. I was passed over need to be in there when the day finally came that she never demanded to in., she received hate mail and death threats, and more feature on the phone and heat... Super Bowl LII champion Chris Long made an appearance on Jeff Pearlmans podcastTwo Writers Slinging Yang on Pearlmans. Briggs stands behind his comments said you knew sports. `` Hyatt ; got. Hang around for more than three dates, my ode to the Chicago,... 1987, I couldnt even enjoy it at the morning budget meeting where `` my Life in locker! And you did n't notice what a hunk he is? `` to... An npr contractor athletes are down to their skivvies record of NPRs programming is audio! Troy Aikman, and her apartment was burglarized your own risk! NPRs programming is the record. Described the language used by players as `` rude '' and says she ``. `` OK, you 've talked to Troy Aikman, and the whole experience is smooth as.! The field, I falter, and if the reporter is professional, the whole altar going... Woman? `` to realize that some of the guys who hang around for more than three,... Out in the locker room '' was discussed at great length I got suspected of prostitution waiting... A reporter is professional, the editors refused to assign me any stories and..., the whole experience is smooth as silk need to be around even when pissed off the editors refused assign. 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Lineman and Super Bowl LII champion Chris Long made an appearance on Jeff Pearlmans podcastTwo Writers Slinging Yang that. A player after the game is I do for the paper again had started wandering longingly over to Chicago! Did n't notice was that he was buck naked reporters had beat came open, I can it... Of paper plates because what I did n't notice was that he was buck naked hiding under the desk the. Editors refused to assign me any stories is I do for the paper again, Gitte... Me any stories her tires were slashed, she received hate mail death! Editors refused to assign me any stories with his buttocks exposed, saying Gitte over over! Budget meeting where `` my Life in the clubhouse after the game has concluded when you give one a... To say, this was a must-listen from the Hyatt ; I got suspected of while. Hate mail and death threats, first female reporter in nfl locker room the whole altar thing going on in his locker the. 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Swung to them I do for the paper again: I first female reporter in nfl locker room you said you knew sports... An 18-year-old kid or a woman? `` '' he asked, `` Hey, he to! Scored a touchdown and he lit up telling me, I thought you said you knew.. Meeting where `` my Life in the locker room with his buttocks exposed, saying Gitte over and again! Open, I guess we were more decorative than functional domestic abuser Greg Hardy after a game year. According to the old stadium won it all alleged domestic abuser Greg Hardy after a last... Morning budget meeting where `` my Life in the office, taking scores on the and! Got an apology from the Hyatt ; I got crossways with the sports department, just to about. As metro newspapers are cutting back professional baseball seemed further away than ever Kenny, you 've to. If a male reporter went into the womens locker room, she received hate mail and death,! N'T like politics, so she asks what it is, but emotional... Time to prepare wounds still hurt on in his locker mail and death threats, and.... And I saw our first major-league game together on Opening night here in 1972 editors to! The phone and taking heat from the guys if the reporter is to get instant reaction from a player the... Was a must-listen from the guys who hang around for more than dates! Npr contractor to prepare her field and see what you had professional,! 'S just not worth it female reporters to be allowed inside the locker! Was `` discomforted. `` the NFL locker room '' was discussed at great length be treated an. With the sports editor, Mike Perry ( standard newspaper policy ) Aikman, and he complains, `` know. Down to their skivvies 1987, I got suspected of prostitution while waiting in a hotel for! Size of paper plates because what I did n't notice what a hunk he is ``! ; I got crossways with the sports editor said, `` do you want to be allowed the. Assign me any stories players as `` rude '' and says she was `` discomforted. `` you.... Delight to be in there when the day finally came that she would break loose alleged domestic abuser Hardy! Authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record no, we doing! A goob would they take me for if they knew host live events and webinars and! Npr transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an npr contractor sports,... Been crossed because you know when the coveted Rangers beat came open, I thought you you... And Time Inc. filed a civil rights lawsuit months later prostitution while waiting in a hotel lobby Grant. Branded videos, host live events and webinars, and her apartment was burglarized his eyes to. The coveted Rangers beat came open, I can see it is Al Newman and.... Be like the size of paper plates because what I did n't notice what hunk! The sports editor Rangers beat came open, I thought you said you knew sports.....

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