Andy Reid Abandons Patrick Mahomes’ Side Amidst NFLPA’s Tug of War With ‘Outdated’ Media Policy

Is the sports media intrusive? It certainly is, however, not in the way many would think about it. Usually after a game or a practice, players’ locker room is swarmed with media personnel trying to get the latest scoop for their publication. But in doing that, they sometimes put players in compromising positions.

Some athletes were outraged when the camera caught them without clothes. One of those players were Kyle Juszczyk, who blatantly called out an SI reporter for hanging out in the locker room. “Maybe we can keep Grant Cohn from always hanging around our lockers while we’re changing.” Soon, other players voiced their concerns and NFLPA was involved.

“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,” the NFLPA said in a statement. But most journalists are aware of the NFL’s media policies and operate in a way that doesn’t necessarily hurt a player’s image.

Darren Smith, a radio host who covers Kansas City’s sports scene spoke to 3x Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes and safety Justin Reid about some locker room etiquette that media can adhere to. Fortunately for Mahomes, he’s prone to the debacle because he usually takes the podium to speak to the media. However, he empathizes with the situation and was in an NFLPA meeting about two weeks ago. He spoke to Darren Smith at a later point.

Per Darren Smith’s post on X, “Mahomes explained to me that a lot of it stems from an incident with a Niners player and most players feeling uncomfortable with the possibility that they might be shown n–e on camera. While the decision, if it ever changes, won’t affect him personally because he speaks at the podium, he will always side with the players and the direction they decide to go.”

In the same statement, the NFLPA pointed out that “The NFL’s current media policy is outdated,” and implored the league to create a safer environment around the players. They also urged the players to accommodate the media’s requests, but outside of the locker room to maintain its sanctity.

The radio host said that he respects players’ privacy and makes it a point to not film them unless they are fully clothed. However, last year, his team waited outside for Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney to show up. But after they were dressed, the receivers left through the backdoor. Certainly, fans lose a valuable piece of interview from their favorite players if such a thing happens. However, things will remain the same in Kansas for the time being.

What does Andy Reid have to think of all this? Well, Reid doesn’t put a uniform on for the game, so there’s no need for him to change his attire. So, per Darren Smith, the KC head coach is “indifferent” to this conundrum. However, the drama surrounding this situation is much bigger than Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and the Kansas City Chiefs.

After Patrick Mahomes, Ted Karras presents his side of the story

Let’s take it from the top. It all started in a Pro Football Writers’ meeting in Indianapolis earlier this year. PFW’s President raised the issue that NFL players didn’t want the media poaching them in their locker rooms. However, nothing has changed so far. Later, Ted Karras, the team’s union representative gave his side of the story.

“As you’ve heard from a couple of teams now and the NFLPA is going to come out with a statement, in an effort to protect the sanctity of the locker room and the comfort of the players, each team is going to figure out a program to where we conduct our interviews outside of the locker room,” said Bengals center, Ted Karras, the team’s union representative.

The answer to this conundrum, per Karras, is that media should be allowed in the locker room on gamedays only if they keep their cameras off players. The Bengals center also believes that this is a “solidarity issue for the NFLPA.” Hopefully, the players are united in this matter. So, what’s this “outdated” rule that has traumatized the players all this time?

“Each club will make players available during the normal practice week (based on a Sunday game) on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to accredited media for player interviews,” NFL’s media policy states. The NFL has “mandatory” open locker room sessions in place for Thursday or Friday. However, players have some leverage on Mondays and can choose to make the interview virtual, or at some place other than the locker room.

Also, the thing is, you don’t need to carry a huge camera around with you anymore these days. Everybody carries smartphones and it’s a perfect tool for modern-day journalism. However, sneaky use of those devices might get players in trouble. At the same time, NFL media policy states that the clubs must distribute appropriate clothing before the media swarms the locker rooms as “providing for player privacy is of paramount importance.” So, it’s a deadlock on both sides right now.

Let us know your thoughts on media interaction with the players.