PictureThere have been many people curious about how NFL scouts would perceive one of its potential new employees, Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o.  

This was talked about on sports blogs, sports radio and ESPN.  Many questioned would the NFL scouts question Te’o’s sexuality.  Is he gay?  Would they ask such a question?  

Well the mystery was solved when NFL prospect Nick Kasa said that “[Teams] ask you questions like, ‘Do you have a girlfriend?’ Are you married?’ Do you like girls?’”

Kasa told CJ and Kreckman of ESPN Radio Denver.

“Those kinds of things, and you know it was just kind of weird. But they would ask you with a straight face, and it’s a pretty weird experience altogether.”  

Many were upset because they perceived that the NFL is showing it’s intolerance for homosexuality.  I am not saying I disagree with those who are upset but playing devil’s advocate, could there have been any other reasons they would ask these types of questions?  Think about it for a second; the scouts could not possible think that one of these young men would admit to being gay or bisexual; especially after the recent Manti Te’o incident.  

Also something to consider is that back in 2011 The NFL removed a hurdle for professional football players who may be thinking of coming out as gay, banning discrimination based on “sexual orientation.”  

The new language was put into the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, ratified by the players on Aug. 4 2011.  

The contract reads: “Section 1. No Discrimination: There will be no discrimination in any form against any player by the Management Council, any Club or by the NFLPA [NFL Players Association] because of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or activity or lack of activity on behalf of the NFLPA.”  

“Sexual orientation” was not in the 2006 collective bargaining agreement, which read there would be no discrimination based on “race, religion, national origin or activity or lack of activity on behalf of the NFLPA.”  

So because of this, I believe the scouts could have asked these questions because more reporters in the media are asking player about sexuality and attitudes towards homosexuality in locker rooms.  I think the scouts could have been testing the athletes to see their reaction to these questions to perhaps save themselves from embarrassment.  PERHAPS???


 

Picture Maybe they wanted to see if their team would suffer an episode like the San Francisco 49ers did with their cornerback Chris Culliver made anti-gay comments before Super Bowl XLVII.   

Culliver said, “I don’t do that. No, we don’t got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.”  

Regardless of the NFL scout’s reasons, the questioning was inappropriate and wrong.  Apparently the NFL agrees.  The NFL warned that any team asking about the sexual orientation of any player faces punishment from the league. 

“Like all employers, our teams are expected to follow applicable federal, state and local employment laws,” the league statement said.   “It is league policy to neither consider nor inquire about sexual orientation in the hiring process.  

“In addition, there are specific protections in our collective bargaining agreement with the players that prohibit discrimination against any player, including on the basis of sexual orientation.   “We will look into the report on the questioning of Nick Kasa at the scouting combine. Any team or employee that inquires about impermissible subjects or makes an employment decision based on such factors is subject to league discipline.”    

Well enough of that.  Let’s look at dudes with tattoos…


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