Report: NFL Team Asks Draftee Geno Atkins if He is Gay

Cincinnati Bengals rookie Geno Atkins was selected as a fourth-round draft pick from Georgia. But that was after at least one team posed a rather curious question to the 6'1, 290lb defensive tackle. "The only unusual question I got was if I was straight or gay," Atkins told the Associated Press. "And that was about it."

Atkins did not identify the team and Outsports' Cyd Ziegler suggests it's probably standard procedure: "Unfortunately, he didn’t say what his answer was. Either way, you have to assume it’s not just one team asking, or that Atkins was the only one asked.

And let's add that it's to Atkins' credit that he saw the question about his sexuality as "unusual"... and publicly said so.

This follows other reports that NFL draftees have been asked inappropriate and invasive questions. Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland reportedly asked wide receiver Dez Bryant if his mother—who is a lesbian—"was ever a prostitute." Bryant was reportedly offended by the question.

In related news: This weekend, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger undergoes NFL-mandated "behavioral evaluation" following his suspension after accusations of sexual assault. And  Thursday: New York Giants Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was arrested and charged with raping a teenage runaway. Seems like the NFL is asking the wrong pre-draft interview questions on sexuality and behavior.

Comments

[Jim]

The team owners feel they have every right to ask questions like these. For the millions of dollars they are shelling out, they are purchasing not just a football player, but an image and a scandal-free product. (And do not doubt that being gay is a scandal.)

The ideal candidate will have a mansion in Gwinnett, will have a trophy wife who keeps her mouth shut, and will be someone who knows nothing ’bout no politics.

Really, the squeak clean ideal is Tiger Woods.

[brian]

Where is the outrage? If this was IBM or Wal-Mart, who in some cases pay executives extremely high salaries and have a corporate image to uphold, asking these questions, folks would hit the street and the web with an all out boycott!

The NFL shouldn't be given a pass.

[TheRevKev]

THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I PRAY THAT THEY....NO, THIS IS JUST STUPID!

BRAVO JIM: TIGER WAS PERFECT ON PAPER...BAM!

[Ravenback]

I think asking questions about people's sexuality is going beyond what's necessary and pertinent information. Unfortunately this question gets asked in many circles. I have friends who have worked at prestigious law firms who were asked a battery of personal questions including those concerning sexual orientation. It's not right in my eyes, but it nonetheless occurs quite frequently.

One of the reasons I chose to work at Charles Schwab for many years was that they have an excellent track record concerning LGBT employees. That company suited my personality quite well.

[greg2]

This may be interpreted the wrong way, but I believe the NFL owners and the Law Firm Partners ask certain personal questions out of regards to individuals position within their respective organizations.For a closeted person in a position of daily public scrutiny such as a NFL player, if that player wanted to stay closeted if someone found out he was gay that someone may want to blackmail said player into causing the outcome of a game to go a certain way...same with a law firm employee...would that law firm employee "misplace" a very important clients file if they were being blackmailed about their sexuality? Employment due diligence only goes as far as what has been recorded. The interview is where the potential employer has to ask the hard questions that may protect the company and possibly the potential employee. Bottom line point of view, If the owners, partners know your darkest background not only sexual but drug use, alcohol abuse,criminal records or whatever not recorded, the less chance of blackmail against employee and the organization is protected....Try joining the CIA,FBI or any law enforcement agency and see what kind of questions you get asked.....

[DT]

@greg2 that may be true and I see your point but I still have issue with asking this guy if he is gay just to ask? If they are concerned about his viewpoint that much why not ask what are his views on LGBT people? I still think it's going way too far. And asking another player if his Lesbian mother was a prostitute WTF!!!???!!!