By and large, the world of sports media is still run by men. There’s never really much discussion about it. Male dominance is just what it is, and has been. But last week, the hottest topic in sports media was women and their place in it after Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton made a sexist remark when asked a question by Charlotte Observer beat writer Jourdan Rodrigue. 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. In exchange for their candor I have agreed to keep them anonymous.
I wanted to know these 4 things:
1. How do you feel about women being in locker rooms?
2. Do female sports reporters ask better, the same or worse questions than their male counterparts?
3. Do you feel like female reporters are treated differently than their male counterparts?
4. If you played for the Panthers would Jourdan Rodrigue’s racist tweets and the way she handled the Cam Newton situation affect your interactions with her in the future?
Here are their unedited answers. (Side Note: Each guy played at least 5 years in the NFL)
Former NFL Offensive Lineman:
How do you feel about women being in the locker room?
I don’t mind women reporters being in the locker room. It’s their job.
Do female sports reporters ask better, the same or worse questions than their male counterparts?
I feel they are all equal. I don’t look at questions as being better or worst. Most reporters are sneaky. All they want is to be the one to break the big story.
Do you feel like female reporters are treated differently than their male counterparts?
I think women are treated the same as men. While playing I didn’t see a difference. We had several female reporters in our locker room.
If you played for the Panthers would Jourdan Rodrigue’s racist tweets and the way she handled the Cam Newton situation affect your interactions with her in the future?
Of course, she couldn’t ask me anything else. Don’t even come to my locker. She wouldn’t get a word out of me. She’s not trustworthy.
Former NFL Quarterback:
How do you feel about women being in the locker room?
I don’t have a problem at all with women being in the locker room. They have to understand that it’s considered sacred ground to players where we feel comfortable and safe to just be ourselves. So as a woman reporter she has to be comfortable within her own skin to understand what that entails in a male dominated sport. But if a woman is qualified to do her job, she belongs in the locker room. Point blank.
Do female sports reporters ask better, the same or worse questions than their male counterparts?
In some instances I think better. Reason being, I believe they understand that their window of opportunity is extremely small, so they have to basically over prepare. So in some cases, they are very much in tune and detailed about what they ask. I’ve had other situations where I was like, “she’s just here because someone owed someone a favor” and you could tell she had no clue what she was doing, but she was in the locker room.
Do you feel like female reporters are treated differently than their male counterparts?
Absolutely. It’s a male dominated, barbaric sport! Of course we feel like women typically don’t belong in such a brutal sport. So unfortunately, y’all are taken very lightly…as a joke (Like who did she screw to get into the NFL). Just being honest. It goes back to the stereotype of women not really knowing sports, so you’ll have to jump through several hoops just to get in the business.
If you played for the Panthers would Jourdan Rodrigue’s racist tweets and the way she handled the Cam Newton situation affect your interactions with her in the future?
Absolutely it would. The league is based off politics and racism…let’s be clear. They don’t give 2 flying fucks about you if you aren’t an asset to them. In this particular case, I wouldn’t say a word to her unless I absolutely had to. Even then, I would probably keep it to short one-word answers. I would feed her with a long spoon, and if I was Cam I would tell my organization it makes me uncomfortable being around her and I can’t do my job because of her. It’s a doggy dog world when you’re in the NFL, so best believe I’ll try to get you before you get me… especially being a black man. They’re waiting for us to mess up!
Former NFL Defensive Lineman:
How do you feel about women being in the locker room?
I have no problem with women being in the locker room. Some female sports reporters know more than males.
Do female sports reporters ask better, the same or worse questions than their male counterparts?
I don’t care who the reporter is, just ask good questions.
Do you feel like female reporters are treated differently than their male counterparts?
I would always have respect for women reporters, because I have daughters and they might want to be a reporter.
If you played for the Panthers would Jourdan Rodrigue’s racist tweets and the way she handled the Cam Newton situation affect your interactions with her in the future?
If I played for Panthers I would never let her interview me. After seeing her tweets how does she still have a job? Cam was shocked to hear a woman talk about routes.
Writer’s Note:
Sources have told Carolina Blitz that Jourdan Rodrigue isn’t likely to return to the Panthers beat.
Jourdan Rodrigue no-show for game. Sources tell Carolina Blitz she won't likely return to Panthers beat & has been receiving death threats.
— Carolina Blitz (@VashtiHurt) October 8, 2017