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.
