What is NFL's “protect the sanctity” policy? Bengals players rep explains new media rules for locker rooms

NFL players have often had interviews conducted in the team locker rooms, after training sessions, or after games, but that could change going forward. In a new policy, all teams in the league are considering a policy to protect the sanctity of the players by avoiding interviews being conducted in the dressing rooms.

Although media personnel will be allowed to enter the team's dressing rooms, they must request players to accompany them to another location to get an interview.

Bengals star Ted Karras outlines plans for NFL media rules in team locker rooms

Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras - Source: Imagn

While speaking to reporters after a training session with the Cincinnati Bengals from the team locker room on Tuesday, center Ted Karras explained how the media interviews in the team's dressing rooms could change.

“In an effort to protect the sanctity of the locker room and the comfort of the players, each team is gonna figure out a program to where we conduct our interviews outside of the locker room,” Karras said, in a video shared on X by Mike Petraglia.

Karras, who is the player rep for the Bengals, also explained that the move was not aimed at discouraging reporters from conducting interviews, but rather to keep the players

“Now this doesn’t bar you from the locker room. We can’t do that. But what we want to do is get cameras off guys in private moments in our locker room. We want to make this as smooth as possible. This is not an indictment against you. This is what our membership feels is best for the players." Karras said.

Per Karras, the NFL's media policy had previously been discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when nobody but the players and team staff were allowed in the locker rooms. Nonetheless, he pointed out why another issue about player privacy led to the topic being brought up again.

"I think what brought it to light was a couple guys naked on camera this year. I know that’s happened a few times throughout the history of the league. But this will not affect gameday, I don’t think. We’re gonna come up with a good solution to make the week as smooth as possible, get everyone the time they need and again, protect the sanctity of the locker room.” Karras said.

As things stand, the NFL has not confirmed the new media rules. Furthermore, there is no timeline on when the “protect the sanctity” policy will be implied.

For a rule to be implied, all 32 NFL teams in the league will have a say in the matter before a final judgment is passed. Moreover, there is no suggestion that every NFL team will be looking to make the change.