As a policy shift, the National Football League prohibits questions intended to offend or embarrass draft candidates. Also, the Wonderlic test will be eliminated. Overly-explicit interrogation techniques are also prohibited. According to Wednesday’s league memo, violators face harsh penalties.
For any teams not certain what is and isn’t off limits, here’s a short primer based on an ESPN story.
A player should not be asked if his mother was a prostitute. In their interviews, the Miami Dolphins (and other teams) have asked this question.
Asking a player’s sexual orientation is off limits. Atlanta asked this question.
“Have you smoked marijuana?” is off the table. Benjamin Watson asked this question and said that the interview was similar to a cop questioning a suspect.
Watson said that he can recall sitting in a dimly lit room. Watson said that he felt like he was being interrogated about a crime. All the staff are in the back, in shadows. You can’t even see them. My wrist was grabbed by him and he said, “I can sense your pulse. So I know whether you lie to me.” Have you ever smoked marijuana?’ “No.” I replied. It was true. Never smoked. He replied, “I believe you are lying.” Your pulse can be felt. Were you lying? “I said, “No, I am not.”
Previous treatment has included the following for college students who hoped to be draft by NFL teams.
Wondelic was also used by some teams to conduct pre-employment tests, although critics argue it doesn’t serve any purpose. The only problem is that it may embarrass players like Leonard Fournette and Dan Marino by making public their absurdly low scores.
NFL teams are now subject to $150,000 fines and will be forced to forfeit a pick from the draft between the third and fourth rounds. Further fines can be imposed on individual NFL officials and they may also suspend them.
Troy Vincent, executive vice president of football operations at the National Football League when he’s not urging NFL players to come out of the closet, said, “We aim for dignity, respect and professionalism. It is that easy.
The league’s memo also says:
All clubs must ensure potential draft picks have a professional and respectful NFL environment. This is in accordance with federal and state law as well as our common commitment to diversity, inclusion and respect. Your club should do the same for any free agents you might be considering signing. Your club should also emphasize to potential players how much they value character and what the NFL expects of them.
We can also assume it goes without saying that the so-called NFL draft combine “slave auctions” described by Colin Kaepernick will not be tolerated as well.
This is the new refined, cultural, civilized NFL. Accept the new norm.
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