Former LSU running back Derrius Guice revealed this week that one NFL team asked him about his sexual preference in an interview during the Scouting Combine, and the league has condemned the question.
In a statement issued to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the matter is being investigated and that a question of that nature is against the league’s workplace policies.
“A question such as that is completely inappropriate and wholly contrary to league workplace policies,” McCarthy said. “The NFL and its clubs are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees in a manner that is consistent with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, state and federal laws and the CBA. We are looking into the matter.
“The league annually reminds clubs of these workplace policies that prohibit personnel from seeking information concerning a player’s sexual orientation.”
Guice said the question was one of several that were posed in an attempt to see how he would react and if he would get frustrated. While it makes sense that teams would want to know how a player responds to being taunted both for on-field and off-field purposes, asking about a player’s sexual preference crosses the line.
If you remember, a player two years ago said he was asked the same question and the head coach of the team responsible eventually apologized.
