NY attorney general: NFL must act on sexual orientation concern
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman urged the NFL on Tuesday to investigate whether possible draft picks were improperly asked about their sexual orientation during the league's combine, which he said would be illegal in New York.
"We ask that the league immediately issue a statement that any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientation by league teams or players against potential recruits or players constitutes a violation of state, local and, in some cases, contractor law and will not be tolerated," Schneiderman said in a letter dated Thursday and released to news organizations.
Schneiderman asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to call him by next Wednesday to schedule a meeting on the matter.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league was already looking into the issue and would discuss it at its meeting next week in Phoenix.
"Like all employers, our teams are expected to follow applicable federal, state and local employment laws," the NFL said in a Feb. 27 statement. "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."
It concluded: "Any team or employee that inquires about impermissible subjects or makes an employment decision based on such factors is subject to league discipline."
Last month, Colorado tight end Nick Kasa told ESPN Radio in Denver that during interviews with team officials at the combine in Indianapolis: "(Teams) ask you, like, 'Do you have a girlfriend?' 'Are you married?' 'Do you like girls?'"
He did not identify who asked him.
Since then, Michigan's Denard Robinson and Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell each have indicated in radio interviews that they were asked similar questions.
Schneiderman reminded Goodell that discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal in New York and in at least 23 other states where the NFL's 32 teams are based.
In February, DeMaurice Smith, the head of the NFL players association, said in a statement that, "I know that the NFL agrees that these types of questions violate the law, our CBA and player rights."
"We ask that the league immediately issue a statement that any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientation by league teams or players against potential recruits or players constitutes a violation of state, local and, in some cases, contractor law and will not be tolerated," Schneiderman said in a letter dated Thursday and released to news organizations.
Schneiderman asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to call him by next Wednesday to schedule a meeting on the matter.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league was already looking into the issue and would discuss it at its meeting next week in Phoenix.
"Like all employers, our teams are expected to follow applicable federal, state and local employment laws," the NFL said in a Feb. 27 statement. "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."
It concluded: "Any team or employee that inquires about impermissible subjects or makes an employment decision based on such factors is subject to league discipline."
Last month, Colorado tight end Nick Kasa told ESPN Radio in Denver that during interviews with team officials at the combine in Indianapolis: "(Teams) ask you, like, 'Do you have a girlfriend?' 'Are you married?' 'Do you like girls?'"
He did not identify who asked him.
Since then, Michigan's Denard Robinson and Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell each have indicated in radio interviews that they were asked similar questions.
Schneiderman reminded Goodell that discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal in New York and in at least 23 other states where the NFL's 32 teams are based.
In February, DeMaurice Smith, the head of the NFL players association, said in a statement that, "I know that the NFL agrees that these types of questions violate the law, our CBA and player rights."
What a mambsy pambsy world we live in anymore.Â
That picture of Eric is worth a thousand words, he really looks like a dope.
can we just be done with the gay thing already?
I thought liberals were pro choice. Yes let the mother choose to terminate the child, but on the other hand, how dare is this owner choosing his players..
If I pay hundreds of millions for a team I will make sure to choose best players, and make sure all current players can play together as before with nobody being uncomfortable, I don't have time for all the political correctness nonsence, PC traning, sensitivity training all current players.
Are the same people defending this discriminatory practice also the ones continually whining, "I don't want to know! Stop talking about gay! Why is everything about gay? Who cares!"?
Admit it. It's fascinating!This comment has been deleted
@LongBeachBumwhat you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
@DeadRabitz @LongBeachBum His comment was hardly "rambling" -- it consisted of only one sentence. It wasn't really "incoherent" either, since his question was clearly stated. May the English usage God have mercy on your soul!
@JK15Â @felines99 Then it's a quote which doesn't even apply to his comment.
@felines99 @DeadRabitz @LongBeachBum Fail.
@felines99Â It's a quote from a movie that you just took WAYYYYYY to seriously.
Being Gay Hurts no one!
After the news conference, he concluded by telling everyone "You Look Faaaabulous!"
As if NY politician's don't invade in to the lives of their own people enough...good grief.
I highly doubt any NFL player has ever "assumed the position" in the locker room....no addressing is needed.
Let's see, Are you married? No. Do you have a girlfriend? No.... They should have asked ... Do you have a boyfriend?
BWAA HAAA HAAA
I
For a game that involves men in skin-tight clothing hugging each other a lot, sexual orientation should be something that they don't need to worry about.
NFL's Don't Ask, Don't Tell?Â
Leave it alone. Its a valid question considering the line of work. You don't have collective showers when you work in an office building. Nothing against the lifestyle but when you're dealing with this amount of money, a "locker room" problem can cost many millions of dollars.Â
@Cheetoh734 it's not a valid question s ones sexual orientation has no bearing on employment.
@Cheetoh734Â Wait, you don't have collective showers at work?Â
BS. It is never a valid question in any line of work. You dont like gays say so... but dont defend these illigal and discriminatory policies on the basis of "financial need"
god, another one of you looser that's probably not even gay, but feel the need to speak up for the "minorities" whenever you have a chance.
@PuzzleFighter so one has to be a part of the affected group in order to stand up for the groups rights?
@EMDF9AÂ Say that when its your money on the line...It's easy to make rules for other people, it gets harder to put your money and business on the line because people's feelings might get hurt...Â
@EMDF9AÂ It is OK to not understand. Â It isn't that the teams 'dont like gays', it is that they need to know everything about a player when they are going to be spending millions of dollars on them. Â Had the player said they were gay and the team told the player that because of that, they aren't hired, then you have something. Â The must cover ALL bases, and it isn't because of 'feelings', it is about money.
@Cheetoh734 Valid point. Do you not find it fascinating that there's a need to address this issue, yet we can't have a serious dialogue about females in male locker rooms? It's amazing to me how even men's bathrooms/ locker rooms have even become PC centers.Â
@Lisa @Cheetoh734 The issue of women in the locker room was a heated topic in the 90's. The Bengals wouldn't allow a reporter into the locker room until the players were dressed. It caused a huge uproar about equality.