Indianapolis, IN

The NFL will look into the claim of a draft prospect that at least one team inquired about his sexual orientation, saying it violates league policy.

Colorado tight end Nick Kasa claimed during an interview with ESPN Radio Denver that he was asked a series of questions that touched on sexual orientation during the combine.

"(Teams) ask you like, 'Do you have a girlfriend?' 'Are you married?' 'Do you like girls?'" Kasa said. "Those kinds of things, and you know it was just kind of weird. But they would ask you with a straight face, and it's a pretty weird experience altogether."

In a statement, the NFL said "teams are expected to follow applicable federal, state and local employment laws", adding that "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," the league said.

The league said that any team or employee that inquires about impermissible subjects or makes an employment decision based on such factors will be subjected to league discipline.

In a statement to USA Today, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said he supports the NFL investigation on the matter.

"I know that the NFL agrees that these types of questions violate the law, our CBA and player rights," Smith said. "I hope that they will seek out information as to what teams have engaged in this type of discrimination and we should then discuss appropriate discipline."

 

 

NFL to Look into Prospect's Claim on Sexual Orientation Query

 

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