NFL Should Monitor All Official Meetings and Interviews at the Scouting Combine

Yes, we live in a super politically correct world. One where you can't hire people for jobs based on ethnicity, gender or even sexual orientation. And so while I understand that the NFL Combine gives teams a chance to use unique methods in order to deeply probe those who they're considering paying six- or seven-figure salaries to, I also see no reason why the same rules and restrictions shouldn't apply in such cases. 

And in fact, they do. The NFL has stated that teams are expected to abide by federal, state and local employment laws when conducting interviews at the Combine, or at any other point. So while Colorado tight end Nick Kasa doesn't seem too bothered by the fact he was asked by one team if he liked girls, technically he'd have a chance to wreak legal havoc for such things. 

The reality is that no player will jeopardize their NFL future by speaking up when these incidents happen. Kasa's incident is being investigated by the league, and that'll probably cause players to become even more cautious in the future. We can only hope that dishing on interview details won't hurt a player's stock, but the risk exists and thus we can't expect these teenagers to police the process on their own. 

That's why a simple solution would be to have NFL personnel present for all interviews, assuring everyone involved that these kids aren't essentially being thrown under buses that aren't supposed to be coming their way. It wouldn't require a huge effort on the league's part, and I see no reason why the teams wouldn't agree. What excuse would they have not to comply? 

Of course, countless informal discussions take place in Indianapolis during Combine week every year, and there's only so much the league and its officials can do. But this would at least help limit the potential damage. 

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com (covering Super Bowls XLIV, XLV and XLVI), a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Bloguin, but his day gig has him covering all things NFC East for Bleacher Report.

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