An NFL locker room is traditionally regarded by players and coaches as a sacred space—a private sanctuary where athletes can decompress, reflect, and prepare for the next challenge. However, after games, that sense of privacy is interrupted as reporters flood into the locker room to conduct postgame interviews, a long-standing practice that has sparked debate over the years.
Recently, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) called for a change in this policy, suggesting that postgame interviews be moved elsewhere to respect the privacy of players.
Following this, former NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith voiced his own discomfort with locker room interviews, taking to social media to express his concerns about the behavior of some male reporters.
“If only y’all knew how awkward some of the male reporters act. Straight meat watchers,” Smith tweeted, hinting that some reporters behaved inappropriately by making players feel uncomfortable.
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Jason Kelce, center for the Philadelphia Eagles, addressed the topic on a recent episode of his New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother and Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce. While discussing Smith’s comments, Jason acknowledged that the locker room environment can sometimes feel strange with reporters present, but he downplayed the severity of the issue.
“I’m not gonna lie. It is a little weird that people are in there,” Jason said around the 1:14:00 mark of the episode. “But I don’t mind. I never minded.” His laid-back attitude toward the situation appeared to catch his brother Travis by surprise, but Jason elaborated, explaining that he doesn’t view the presence of reporters in the locker room as a major problem.
“I don’t think this is the problem that it’s being made out to be,” Jason continued. “I really, honestly think guys just don’t want to be interviewed in the locker room. And a lot of guys are crying wolf right now to try and get reporters out of the locker room.”
Jason pointed out that players have ample opportunities to maintain their privacy if they feel uncomfortable. “It’s so easy to just not show your d— to everybody. Put a towel on or go into the bathroom that they aren’t in. Like, they’re not in the showers like ‘hey, how’d you catch that ball?!’ You can definitely not show your d— if you don’t want to, guys,” he added, injecting some humor into the conversation.
While Jason acknowledged that locker room interviews can occasionally feel awkward, he believes that the situation is manageable and players can easily avoid any unwanted exposure. He suggested that much of the discomfort comes from not wanting to be interviewed immediately after a game rather than genuine concerns about privacy violations.
Locker room interviews have long been part of the postgame tradition in the NFL and many other sports. For decades, players have had to navigate the fine line between personal space and professional responsibility, often facing the media while still cooling down after intense competition.
Despite the occasional awkwardness, Jason Kelce emphasized that, for most players, the process is far from the serious issue it’s being portrayed as.
Ultimately, Kelce’s comments reflect a more relaxed approach to the debate over locker room access for reporters.
While the NFLPA’s call for change and Torrey Smith’s concerns raise important questions about player comfort, Kelce’s perspective suggests that the solution may be as simple as players taking personal responsibility for maintaining their own privacy. In the end, as he put it, “it’s really not a big deal.”
