Thursday, October 14, 2010

League at Jets investigating

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- An NFL security team is on site Tuesday talking to New York Jets coaches and players, as well as members of the media who were present Saturday afternoon when TV Azteca reporter Ines Sainz was present at a team practice.
NFL spokesperson Greg Aiello said the league is looking to wrap up the investigation as soon as possible.


Jets coach Rex Ryan said that he volunteered to talk to investigators.
"We want to have an environment here where everyone is comfortable," Ryan said, adding that the team would be completely open and cooperate.
The league is still in the fact-finding stage of the investigation. The NFL's vice president of security Milt Ahlerich met with Sainz at NFL offices Sunday, and another security representative met with her again at the Jets game.
Specifically, the league is looking to see if the Jets created an uncomfortable environment for Sainz and others present, and if the Jets failed to act professionally during the time that the media is allowed to be in the players' locker room.
At the practice, defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman reportedly threw balls toward Sainz during drills, during a time period that the media is allowed to observe but not interact with team members. Later, Sainz walked into the locker room to catcalls, with players ogling her as her back was turned. When another reporter approached Sainz to make sure she was OK, nose tackle Kris Jenkins yelled, "This is our locker room!"
Since then Sainz has appeared on numerous television shows and issued a column to talk about her experience. When the incident happened, she said she was uncomfortable. She has also said she did not feel threatened or harassed.
Jets owner Woody Johnson has since called Sainz to apologize.
In a column, Sainz said she appreciates the support she has felt as a result of the incident.

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