Jets LB Scott threatens reporter
New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott physically threatened a reporter after objecting to having his photo taken in the team's locker room Friday, according to the New York Daily News.
Dan Leberfeld of Jets Confidential tried to take a photo of Scott with his camera phone while Scott was having an off-the-record conversation with ESPN New York's Jane McManus.
Scott confronted Leberfeld and the two nearly came to blows. The Daily News caught the conflict.
"Why are you taking a picture of me?" Scott asked, according to the Daily News.
"Because I want to," Leberfeld replied.
"Get a life," Scott told him.
"You get a life," Leberfeld snapped back.
Then Scott threatened Leberfeld.
"I'll smack the (expletive) out of you," Scott yelled.
Jets media relations director Bruce Speight and another member of the PR staff restrained Scott.
"I'm going to sue you," Leberfeld shouted at Scott.
"I don't care," Scott responded.
Leberfeld had taken photo of Scott speaking with another female reporter on Wednesday. When that reporter saw Leberfeld taking the picture, she reportedly became upset and left the room. Scott swore at Leberfeld.
Leberfeld told WFAN that he was not aware that Scott was angry at him at the time.
Photographs of players are allowed but only while they are being interviewed -- usually in a group setting, according to the Daily News. Scott was having a personal conversation with McManus.
"We work hard to foster an appropriate working environment," the Jets wrote in a statement. "We regret this incident occurred and are reviewing the matter."
Scott has been boycotting the media for more than a year. He recently said he would not talk to reporters after being unhappy with the way he felt the team has been portrayed as a circus in the coverage.
Leberfeld said he took the photos of Scott as evidence that he is still speaking to reporters.
