Poll of the Day: Are Questions Being Asked Prospects Fair or Over-the-Line?

by Josh Kirkendall on May 7, 2010 2:40 PM EDT in Analysis

I get these heads up on stories from emailers a lot. One of these stories relates to Geno Atkins responding to a question that the most unusual question asked was whether he was gay or not. This of course, grows its own legs, like one commenting that it was the Bengals asking the question.

Outsports surmises that this questions was probably just a one-time thing and not standard procedure for the NFL, but the fact that the Bengals even thought to ask is indicative of how difficult for the NFL to accept non-straight players.

For one, it's known that Atkins wasn't even interviewed by the Bengals based on his reaction of getting drafted by the team in the first place. For two, homosexuality is difficult to be accepting in all professional sports. It's why it's a typically muted and avoided issue. You can be appalled or ask a billion different reasons why, it just is.

Awareness of these type of questions being asked surfaced when the legendary Jeff Ireland asked the legendary Dez Bryant that one legendary question.

My only question for Atkins is: Would saying that the over/under for quarterback sacks for the rookie defensive tackle at five be fair?

Today's poll. Are questions that potential employers ask young NFL prospects fair or over-the-line?

Poll

Complete the sentence. Questions about a player's personal background are...

Completely Fair - You want to know the person you're giving millions to

184 votes

Over-the-line - What difference do most of these questions mean when it's not about football?

179 votes

Not close enough - Employers have a right to ask everything and anything they want

33 votes

396 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I voted fair

If you are giving Millions of dollars to a person you should be able to ask whatever the hell you want. He wasn’t interviewing for Burger King

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on May 7, 2010 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

Bama's Mark Ingram

Is Mark Ingram not going to be a top 5 pick next year because his dad is in jail? Questions need to address on field performance psychologically & physically. Personal questions not related to either have no place, such as sexual orientation. Asking a question like that is discriminatory, just like interviewing for Wal-Mart greeters & asking someone their age then not hiring them based on their age…Finding out they are too young for the job.

by Vman in Germany on May 7, 2010 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

That is the point in asking stupid questions,

Psychological……

by WHYUS!! on May 8, 2010 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I voted over the line

Are you less likely to draft someone because of their parent’s problems? Appearently most teams don’t care.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on May 7, 2010 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

Over the line without question

How does that impact his ability to play the game? That’s like asking a player if they have a foot fetish. I am embarrassed for the Bengals if they had to ask.

by Heywood on May 7, 2010 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

But not embarrassed about signing Adam Jones ...

by Heywood on May 7, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Learning about

a players’ psychology with stupid questions doesn’t work. You encounter problems of paraphrase and end up interpreting everything in a overtly subjective way anyway. Those 10mins are best served working out if the guy has any real football knowledge. Show him some tape, explain a situation and find out how he’d improve, what he’s looking for etc etc. The best way to find out how a guy really is, is a thoughout investigation of his background and his character by talking to his coaches, his neighbours, his friends. And watching how he handles himself with his fellow players and in certain game situations.

plus asking if someone is gay is highly illegal because it can’t but be anything other than discrinatory in nature

by Sheffieldbengal on May 8, 2010 7:39 AM EDT reply actions