Media covering major sports leagues have access to players in various areas, like media rooms, podiums, and locker rooms after games. This access became a topic of discussion for the NFLPA and San Francisco 49ers star Kyle Juszczyk.
It seems locker room interviews are making players uncomfortable, leading the NFLPA to come out with a statement on their official X account earlier. A part of it read; “Players feel that locker room interviews invade their privacy and are uncomfortable. This isn’t about limiting media access but about respecting players’ privacy and dignity.”
Seeing this, Kyle Juszczyk reposted on his X account and gave his thoughts on the matter.
This post has since gone viral and has been viewed more than 3.7 million times, as it came from one of the most influential voices in the San Francisco 49ers’ locker room.
Maybe we can keep @grantcohn from always hanging around our lockers while we’re changing https://t.co/hiuac7TtuR
— Kyle Juszczyk (@JuiceCheck44) October 4, 2024
Grant Cohn is a publisher of 49ers content for Sports Illustrated. Which means he is one of those reporters who is a regular at team practices, games as well as in the locker room. Kyle Juszczyk talking about this suggests Cohn is present when they change, something the NFLPA’s statement makes clear about player privacy.
If anything, this will probably have ramifications, as such an allegation implies Grant Cohn intentionally stood around even if he was done asking questions. With the NFLPA leading the charge, the All-Pro fullback‘s comments might end up forcing Cohn and other reporters to tread lightly.
Former 49ers star Torrey Smith joins Kyle Juszczyk to slam reporters
Kyle Juszczyk’s words were a strong enough attack on Cohn. But former San Francisco 49ers star, Torrey Smith had an even more direct comment while reposting the NFLPA’s statement.
Smith directly criticized what some male reporters do. Someone who played eight seasons across four teams implies that the issue extends beyond reporters covering the 49ers.
If only y’all knew how awkward some of the male reporters act.
Straight meat watchers https://t.co/zXXY45BwIM
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 4, 2024
As the NFLPA suggested, it is a league wide problem. The union has asked players to ask the reporters to speak with them outside the locker rooms. With such attacks from Juszczyk and Torrey Smith, the narrative has gone in an uncomfortable direction.
This could force the NFL to take a stand and make sweeping changes to set boundaries. NFL players want reporters to respect their privacy inside locker rooms. Hopefully, these open calls could finally bring about that change.