Former NFL star says male reporters are ‘straight meat watchers’ amid NFLPA’s locker room media policy battleA change is coming to the way reporters are able host post-game interviews with NFL players and one former receiver hinted at what the problem is.
After unspecified events or encounters, the way reporters conduct interviews after NFL games is going to change. Today the NFLPA announced that a change was coming to the post-game interview format.
“Over the past three years, the NFLPA has tried to work with the NFL and the Pro Football Writers of America [PFWA] to move media interviews out of locker rooms. However, there has been little willingness to collaborate on a new solution,” the NFLPA Executive Committee stated.
Also in the statement, the NFLPA shared that players feel uncomfortable and that their privacy has been invaded. The statement ended by calling out the “outdated” media policy.
(Photo: © Ken Ruinard, USA TODAY Sports)
While no current player has shared their thoughts or experiences on the matter, former NFL receiver Torrey Smith made a suggestive remark on X.
If only y’all knew how awkward some of the male reporters act.
Straight meat watchers https://t.co/zXXY45BwIM
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 4, 2024
While there have been no reports of what Smith was alluding to in his post, by him speaking up first there may be more players who are willing to share their experiences with locker room interviews.
A statement from the Pro Football Writers of America: pic.twitter.com/v469vUL7b7
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) October 4, 2024
The PFWA posted their statement as well, this time claiming that interviews outside of the locker room have always been an option.
“NFL players asking to speak outside the locker room has always been part of the league’s media access policy. We are in continuing discussions with the NFLPA executives regarding the media access policy,” the PFWA said.
The current media policy states that members of the media can enter the locker room 10-15 minutes after the players return from the game. In an effort to stop a congested locker room, “impact players” like a skill position player (receiver, quarterback, defensive back, etc.) and the head coach are interviewed on the field.
As for player privacy, the policy says that “each team must supply its players with wrap-around towels or robes in addition to the standard supply of bath towels for post-game showers.” It also states that it’s the team’s responsibility to equip players with gear that will appropriately dress the players.
While there is no mention of interviews being hosted outside the locker room for the “non-impact players,” the policy also states that it’s up to the teams to limit access and determine how long media
