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Bart Scott threatens writer in New York Jets’ locker room

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — And we thought the circus was supposed to be a fun place.

Angered by the media calling the New York Jets a circus, Bart Scott's self-imposed media boycott went to the intimidation level on Friday afternoon when he threatened a member of the media. Dan Leberfeld, the publisher of Jets Confidential and a host on Sirius XM Radio, was threatened by Scott over the Jets linebacker's picture being taken in the locker room.

"We work hard to foster an appropriate working environment. We regret this incident occurred and are reviewing the matter," the Jets said in a statement released Friday afternoon.

Scott was talking cordially with a member of the media, conversing and not on the record, when Leberfeld snapped a photo using his cell phone. Earlier in the week, Leberfeld did the same thing with Scott "because I'm doing a story on writers attempting to negotiate with him to end his media boycott."

The media boycott by Scott predates the start of the regular season.

The photographic effort by Leberfeld was noticed by Scott, who asked, "Why are you taking my picture?"

"Because I wanted to," Leberfeld answered. Scott then told Leberfeld to "Get a life."

"I said to him, 'I have a life,'" Leberfeld told Yahoo! Sports.

It was at this point when Scott then approached Leberfeld, pointed his finger at the reporter, and said, "I'll kick the [bleep] out of you."

According to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, Leberfeld said that he'd sue Scott if Scott hit him, to which Scott replied that he didn't care.

Members of the Jets media relations team separated Scott and Leberfeld, and the Jets linebacker was eased out of the locker room.

"Bart isn't speaking to the media because of the tabloids who called the Jets a circus," Leberfeld said. "But it was actually his friend Brandon Jacobs who started the circus talk this summer."

Jacobs, a former New York Giants running back now with the San Francisco 49ers, and Scott both went to Southern Illinois University and keep a close relationship. Originally it was Jacobs who called the Jets a "circus" in August during an interview.

It isn't the first time Scott has taken issue with his photograph being taken in the locker room. Last year as the Jets were cleaning out their lockers the day after their season-ending Week 17 loss in Miami, Scott gave the finger to photographers as he exited the locker room, receiving a $10,000 fine from the NFL.

Kristian R. Dyer can be followed at @KristianRDyer

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