Last week the unimaginable happened; what we in academia, law-enforcement and even human rights might consider a watershed, a milestone for sociological advancement.
It is all due to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his ground-breaking ruling, one that will affect, we hope, all athletics. Mr. Goodell likely has no idea how big this is, how many of us have been waiting for someone like him to take the initiative.
Sensitive to workplace sexual harassment, Mr. Goodell has ruled that it is more important to educate players than it is to impose meaningless fines. Football players can easily pay fines. Ah, but an education. . . priceless.
It is a big deal because athletes are role models. They are the future mindset of a generation, meaning, young people follow admire their athletic prowess, but also their attitudes. An athlete should deserve hero worship. Be a part of the solution-- not nearly as difficult as it sounds.
If you haven't heard the story, Ines Sainz, a reporter for TV Azteca (a Mexican network) attended a Jets practice to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez. Coach Dennis Thurman threw footballs in the reporter's direction to move his players closer to her. Other coaches followed suit, the players hollered and cat-called her. Eventually seventeen people stepped forward to attest to the sexual harassment.
Ms. Sainz tweeted her discomfort from the locker room. The things that the Jets did and said made her uncomfortable, their words and gestures perhaps, snickers. She didn't find them funny or friendly; she felt vulnerable.
This, by definition, is sexual harassment-- making someone feel uncomfortable with sexually suggestive behavior.It is one definition. There are several others, but sexual bullying is up there. What happened at the stadium, what happens in locker rooms when females of the media step in-- is sexual bullying-- harassment.
Unfortunately, one of the things about being on an all male team is that there is pressure to follow along, pressure to do what teammates are doing, just do what leaders suggest. It feels natural to go with the flow as one of the guys. It can be hard to be an individual, sometimes.
Sensitivity training might start right there.
Commissioner Goodell did the right thing to jump to rectify the incident. He called the behavior of the football team unprofessional and didn't waste time to act. Jets owner Woody Johnson wrote a personal apology to Sainz. He intends to pay to educate all 32 teams in the NFL about proper workplace conduct.
Already General Manager Mike Tannenbaum and Ms. Sainz have discussed the problem with Joanne Gerstner of AWSM to ensure a personal commitment — to ensure a respectful and professional environment for all members of the media.
Our programs are ready to go, Mr. Tannenbaum, Ms. Gerstner. You don't have to reinvent the wheel.
Linda Freedman, Phd, LCSW, LMFT
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