New York Jets guard Greg Van Roten downplayed the recent news revealing that there have been cameras in the locker room.
No surprising topic is off-limits as it concerns the New York Jets. It’s exactly why nobody was surprised when the news revealing hidden cameras in the team’s locker room surfaced over the last week.
The New York Daily News‘ Manish Mehta reported that Jets players and their representatives contacted the NFLPA to investigate these locker room cameras.
On Monday, Jets guard Greg Van Roten did his best to put the issue to rest.
“We all know there are cameras in there. It’s not a secret,” Van Roten said. “The team is upfront about that. There’s an ongoing conversation between the NFLPA and the NFL’s management council regarding that because there are different perspectives on is it OK, is it not OK?
“The player’s issue with it is not privacy related. I think it’s more are we going to get fined if we’re not wearing masks in the locker room. I think it’s more of a CBA issue than a privacy legality issue. Talking to the guys on the team, no one really cares that there are cameras in there. They’re there to protect us. They’re there if something goes missing. We get why they’re there.”
The Jets insist the cameras are in the locker room for security purposes and have been there since 2008—the Eric Mangini era. The footage is retained for 30 days and is reviewed by security department members only.
Trust has been pointed to as the greatest issue involved, but the team’s new right guard—the team’s union representative for the league—isn’t buying it.
“There is no trust issue,” Van Roten said. “Honestly the cameras are there for us. There have been situations in the past, not unique to the Jets, where stuff goes missing after a game. They’re there for the players to protect their things.”
“It’s not like they’re spying on us. It’s for us. We’re part of the team. The Jets are there to protect us. Everything in that building is to make sure we have everything we need and we’re as comfortable as possible to prepare to play and win football games.”
Van Roten, the Rockville Centre, NY native, signed with the Jets this past offseason after three years in Carolina with the Panthers. He’s started each of the team’s nine games this season.
