Oct. 5, 1990

Cincinnati Bengals coach Sam Wyche believes some of his players might be embarrassed by having women see them undressed. NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue believes the locker room should be open after games to all reporters, whether male or female.

Four days ago, Wyche barred USA Today sportswriter Denise Tom from the locker room after the Bengals' 31-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the second time Wyche has violated league policy on this issue. Tagliabue responds today by fining Wyche one-seventeenth of his salary, reportedly $500,000. The fine of about $29,412 is the largest ever imposed on an NFL coach.

"No amount of fine will force me to change my conviction on this matter," Wyche says. "The commissioner feels like it's more important to fine me than to seek another solution."