Running back apologizes for comments regarding TV Azteca reporter
Redskins running back Clinton Portis liked the low profile he kept this summer. That’s over, thanks once more to his own words. And, like he did a couple years ago regarding Michael Vick, he stepped into a controversy that belonged to others.
During his weekly radio appearance on 106.7 The Fan, Portis was asked about a situation involving the New York Jets and a female reporter. The NFL is investigating the team’s behavior toward Ines Sainz of TV Azteca. She attended the Jets’ practice Saturday and Jets’ defensive backs coach, Dennis Thurman, repeatedly overthrew passes in her direction so the players could run by her during drills.
According to the New York Times, some players made “sexually suggestive” comments in the locker room after practice. So The Fan’s Holden Kushner asked Portis what he thought. He said he hadn’t heard about this story, but then kept talking.
“You know man, I think you put women reporters in the locker room in positions to see guys walking around naked,” he said, “and you sit in the locker room with 53 guys, and all of the sudden you see a nice woman in the locker room, I think men are gonna tend to turn and look and want to say something to that woman. For the woman, I think they make it so much that you can’t interact and you can’t be involved with athletes, you can’t talk to these guys, you can’t interact with these guys.
“And I mean, you put a woman and you give her a choice of 53 athletes, somebody got to be appealing to her,” he said. “You know, somebody got to spark her interest, or she’s gonna want somebody. I don’t know what kind of woman won’t, if you get to go and look at 53 men’s [privates]. And you’re just sitting here, saying ‘Oh, none of this is attractive to me.’ I know you’re doing a job, but at the same time, the same way I’m gonna cut my eye if I see somebody worth talking to, I’m sure they do the same thing.”
Portis later apologized for his comments and was chastised by the NFL.
In Portis’ seven seasons in Washington, he’s never been seen being rude toward a female reporter. In fact, no situations have arisen in Washington like the one in New York.
In a statement released by the team, Portis said, “I was wrong to make the comments I did, and I apologize. I respect the job that all reporters do. It is a tough job and we all have to work and act in a professional manner. I understand and support the team on these issues.”
Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie said in a statement, “The Washington Redskins have a clear and unambiguous policy about being professional on these issues and we will take the necessary steps to remind everyone about it.”
In 2007, Portis landed in trouble with comments regarding the Michael Vick dog fighting controversy, saying, “People should mind their business.”
