Ines Sainz 'Embarrassed' by Attention

Ines Sainz was slated to board a plane bound for Mexico City on Tuesday, leaving behind the unwanted attention – and a renewed focus on the treatment of women in the locker room -- brought about by what allegedly transpired at a New York Jets practice over the weekend.

"All this attention has made me feel embarrassed," Sainz told FanHouse on Tuesday. "I didn't hear anything offensive or sexually (demeaning), but the rest of the media that day heard something and they felt people should take notice. They felt (the Jets) should be held responsible and there should be consequences. I only feel like a witness."

Sainz said she received an apology from Jets owner Woody Johnson and she's spoken to NFL security officials over what took place at Jets practice on Saturday. Drills were allegedly run so players could "accidently" bump into the TV Azteca reporter and she later allegedly received catcalls in the locker room.

"I've never been involved in drama like this," said Sainz, who has covered Super Bowls, World Cups and other major events in her nine years as a sports reporter.

Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters on Tuesday that NFL representatives were at the team's training facility to talk to players, coaches and other staffers. It's unclear when the investigation will conclude or if any of the players or coaches will be subject to sanctions.

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Meanwhile the incident has sparked a discussion around the league, which has put at least one player in a certain amount of peril. Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis, while not specifically talking about Sainz, told a radio station Tuesday that he would expect female reporters to be attracted to at least one player in an NFL locker room.

"I follow the rules. When I get into the locker room, I just try to fit in with the rest of the media people. I never experienced anything like this before."
-- Ines Sainz "You know, somebody got to spark her interest, or she's gonna want somebody," Portis said. "I don't know what kind of woman won't, if you get to go and look at 53 men's packages."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Portis' comments were "clearly inappropriate, offensive, and have no place in the NFL." He said the league will soon discuss the issue with Portis.

Portis apologized in a statement released by the Redskins. In the same statement, the Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie said the team would take "necessary steps" to remind players about the team's policies.

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco said via Twitter that he's been "playing ball for 10 years and I've never seen a female reporter dressed this way," linking to a photo from a newspaper. "The Jets players are in trouble for bothering reporter Ines Sainz, hmmm, wonder if she wore the proper attire," he added.

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett appeared to defend the Jets' actions.

"All I can do is LOL at the jets Female Reporter!" Dockett wrote on Twitter. "She walks into a locker room full of men and thinks someone (is) not gonna say nothing."

Dockett later wrote that he respects women and he was "just speaking my opinon (sic), and again its my opinon (sic)."

Asked about Portis' statements and the other reaction to the incident, Sainz said she just tries to be as professional as possible. She previously defended her attire on Twitter.

"I follow the rules," Sainz said. "When I get into the locker room, I just try to fit in with the rest of the media people. I never experienced anything like this before. I never expected those guys to focus on me. I take myself seriously and I try to do a serious interview."

Sainz said she didn't immediately appreciate the gravity of what transpired until other journalists, along with the Association of Women in Sports Media (AWSM), came to her defense. Sainz was soon educated about the struggles of female reporters to gain entry into professional locker rooms and the adversity many faced trying to cover sports.

"I never realized that had gone on before," Sainz said. "I know now why the Jets and the NFL take this so seriously. Without the voice of AWSM, things would be a lot worse (for female reporters)."

AWSM will hold an educational session for Jets players and coaches in the coming days. The organization has advocated for punishment if the investigation finds that the Jets acted in an unprofessional manner or harassed Sainz.

Sainz, who was there to do a story on Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, didn't advocate punishment and she won't be seeking legal action against the Jets.

"I will really leave that decision to the NFL," she said. "I think they will piece it all together. They have my statement and statements from the others who were there. I think they have a good vision of what took place there. They are going to make their own judgments. I think whatever they decide to do will be the correct choice."