Three Female Reporters Were Barred from Entering Jaguars Locker Room
By Kyle Koster
Three female reporters were temporarily prevented from entering the Jacksonville Jaguars locker room after Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Graham Watson of Yahoo Sports, Joey Chandler of the Tuscaloosa News and Katie McInerney of the Tulsa World were barred from entry by a male attendant at Lucas Oil Stadium who told them, “I’m sure you know how guys are, I’m just warning you.” The man then began asking people if the women were allowed in. Eventually a team official told him they were and they were given access, but not before the damage was done.
I was just blocked from a locker room by an old, out-of-touch geezer who wasn't sure women were allowed because "you know how guys are."
— Graham Watson (@Graham_W_Ringo) October 4, 2015
This guy was an usher and apparently not aware that women cover sports. I about lost it. @Colts @Jaguars
— Graham Watson (@Graham_W_Ringo) October 4, 2015
I have covered male sporting events all over the world and it took coming to Indianapolis to face my first gender discrimination. @NFL
— Graham Watson (@Graham_W_Ringo) October 4, 2015
I do want to note that we did eventually get in and we were able to do our job after the man asked several males if it was OK if we got in.
— Graham Watson (@Graham_W_Ringo) October 4, 2015
Want to note that both @Jaguars and @Colts PR apologized.
— Graham Watson (@Graham_W_Ringo) October 4, 2015
A Colts spokesman said the team is investigating the matter.
The women were at the game as part of an Associated Press Sports Editors diversity fellowship weekend. One of the goals of the program is to sponsor “seminars and panels that shed light on gender and racial issues in sports media.”