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NFL Investigating Reporter's Harassment Claim Against Jets

By Ben Fractenberg | September 13, 2010 9:36am | Updated on September 13, 2010 9:37am
Spanish-language reporter Ines Sainz accused several Jets players of making unwanted sexual advances toward her during their practice on Saturday.
Spanish-language reporter Ines Sainz accused several Jets players of making unwanted sexual advances toward her during their practice on Saturday.
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A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

By Ben Fractenberg

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — The NFL is investigating claims by a Spanish-language TV reporter that she was sexually harassed by several Jets players during practice on Saturday at a team facility in New Jersey.

Ines Sainz, 32, was at the Jets practice facility to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez for the Mexican television station TV Azteca when the alleged sexual harassment took place. 

The former Miss Universe contestant said several Gang Green players made sexually suggestive comments to her, the Daily News reported.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall immediately ordered the investigation into the allegations.

"We've had contact with the team multiple times and are moving very aggressively to establish the facts," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

Players allegedly catcalled her when she walked into the Jet’s locker room, the paper said.

"I’m dying of embarrassment," she tweeted in Spanish during the alleged harassment on Saturday.

Jets defensive-backs coach Dennis Thurman allegedly overthrew passes to his players during practice so they landed near Sainz, the News reported. Head coach Rex Ryan's behavior was also being investigated, according to the New York Post.

The Jets held a team meeting to address the issue on Sunday night.

"We are working with that organization to schedule an educational and awareness session with the team," Jets spokesman Bruce Speight told the Post.

Team owner Woody Johnson spoke with Sainz to get her side of the story and to tell her the team would "take any appropriate steps necessary to maintain a respectful environment for the media," according to the News.