NFLPA to announce new program limiting locker room interviews after some players were seen ‘naked on camera’

The dynamics between the media and NFL gamers will look completely different within the close to future after Cincinnati Bengals middle Ted Karras confirmed Thursday that the NFLPA plans to enact a program stopping members of the media from conducting interviews contained in the staff locker room. 

Karras, an NFLPA participant rep, spoke to the media this week in regards to the new program that’s aimed toward defending the “sanctity of the locker room” after he mentioned that there have been a number of situations this season the place gamers have been seen “bare on digicam.” 

Ted Karras, #64 of the Cincinnati Bengals, seems on from the sideline previous to an NFL soccer recreation in opposition to the Washington Commanders at Paycor Stadium on September 23, 2024, in Cincinnati, Ohio.  (Cooper Neill/Getty Photos)

“As you’ve heard from a few groups now and the NFLPA goes to come back out with a press release – In an effort to guard the sanctity of the locker room and the consolation of the gamers, every staff goes to determine a program to the place we conduct our interviews outdoors of the locker room,” Karras mentioned.  

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“Now, this doesn’t bar you from the locker room – we are able to’t do this, however what we need to do is get cameras off guys in non-public moments in our locker rooms.” 

Karras defined the fundamentals of this system, and added that it was not meant as “an indictment” in opposition to members of the media. Groups or gamers are usually not required to comply with the brand new program. 

“That is what our membership feels is finest for the gamers.” 

New England Patriots middle Nick Leverett talks to the media earlier than apply.  (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Photos)

Karras mentioned the thought had been led to in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, however curiosity in implementing a brand new program was introduced on by incidents the place gamers have been filmed within the nude whereas within the locker room. 

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“This has been a subject of debate since COVID with the COVID protocol, when nobody was within the locker room. It’s been introduced up a number of occasions since then, and now we determine it’s the time to do it,” he mentioned. 

“I believe what introduced it to mild was a pair guys bare on digicam this yr. I do know that’s occurred just a few occasions all through the historical past of the league. However this is not going to have an effect on recreation day, I don’t assume. We’re gonna give you a great resolution to make the week as clean as potential, get everybody the time they want and, once more, shield the sanctity of the locker room.”

Joe Burrow, #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals, walks out of the locker room to the sphere previous to a recreation in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 29, 2023, in Santa Clara, California.  (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Photos)

This system is aimed toward stopping locker room interviews in the course of the week however not on recreation day. Karras mentioned that whereas gamers are free to do what they need, he requested that members of the media “respect” the brand new means of interviewing gamers. 

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“This isn’t an excuse to keep away from the media,” he added. “We’re contractually obligated to be out there one time per week for questions . . . so, that won’t be a problem.” 

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