Think Before You Speak, Or Pay the Price

Clinton Portis got himself placed on the grill this week for speaking his mind. We live in a politically correct society and can't have people saying what they really feel. Or so we've been taught.


When you're at work, all your statements have to fit in a nice box which does not offend anyone. Race, sex, and religion are topics that are off limits when you're at your place of business. Expecting athletes to "get" this notion is hilarious.


Reporters go to athletes all the time and ask questions that will, if answered without forethought, get the players in trouble. Portis, speaking on the topic of female reporters in the locker room, went off the cuff and predictably got himself in hot water.


Portis said, "I think you put women reporters in the locker room in position to see guys walking around naked......You know, somebody got to spark her interest, or she's going to want somebody. I don't know what kind of woman won't, if you get to go and look at 53 men's packages."


Portis has apologized for the comments, but here's the thing. That's what he really thought. Is that wrong? Most people would say yes, but I'm here to defend Portis for speaking his mind. Football players say stuff far worse than this all the time. Does that make it right? No. Is answering a question honestly a problem? In this society, you betcha.

The incident that Portis was commenting on involved female reporter Ines Sainz in the NY Jets locker room. Reporters in D.C. wanted to try to get a local reaction from the Redskins and went to the guy who's most likely to say something inflammatory.

So is Portis at fault for saying what he really felt in an attempted comical manner? Yes. Did the media play a role? Yes. Is all of this blown way out of proportion? Absolutely. The only positive thing about this pseudo-drama? We've had a something to talk about in the days between week 1 and week 2 of the NFL season, which is what the media in D.C. wanted all along. Portis took the bait and got himself caught up in a made up controversy. 


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