DT Geno Atkins was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the NFL Draft last month. But before that, Atkins had at least one interesting question posed by an NFL team in a pre-draft inerview.
“The only unusual question I got was if I was straight or gay,” said new Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins. “And that was about it.”
Unfortunately, he didn’t say what his answer was. Either way, you have to assume it’s not just one team asking, or that Atkins was the only one asked.
on May 6th, 2010 at 2:33 AM
He obviously answered straight cause if he hadn’t it would have been breaking news somewhere.
on May 6th, 2010 at 8:16 AM
If there are other teams asking the same question and/or have been doing so in the past it seems unlikely to me that he is gay since none of the answers have become “breaking news”.
That Atkins considered the question “oddball” may suggest he not only answered “no” but that he is sufficiently bemused by the question that he is comfortable volunteering the information that the question was asked and sought the chance to deflate it.
I also think a gay player would be unwise to ‘self-inflict’ attention.
on May 6th, 2010 at 12:29 PM
I’m sure he answered that he’s straight. But if he answered that he’s gay, it wouldn’t become news because the team wouldn’t exactly announce i.
on May 6th, 2010 at 12:44 PM
I am glad someone is asking that. It will be to our benefit in the long run. If the Government is discriminatory when they ask what religion or politics you have then you can be a judge is going to use this.
on May 6th, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Poor Tebow, first month as a Bronco and he is already failing tests they are administering.
on May 6th, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Straight or gay, it doesn’t matter. It’s absolutely nobody’s business. That’s like applying for a job or college and getting asked that question. I would be appalled.
on May 6th, 2010 at 5:19 PM
The question in itself is interesting because it tests the mettle or maturity of the young athlete. His answer may not be as important as how he handles the question.
on May 6th, 2010 at 5:29 PM
[...] Steiger flags an odd sports story: Via Outsports, the new defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, Geno Atkins, told reporters that the only [...]
on May 7th, 2010 at 3:06 PM
What someone does sexually with another adult, is nobody’s business. Maybe the person asking was looking for a date?!
on May 10th, 2010 at 12:59 AM
Wow, I am wondering why NFL teams are asking such a question, other than to be nosy and use the information against the player.
on May 10th, 2010 at 6:16 AM
I think NFL teams asking a player’s sexual orientation, might use an answer against a student. We all know how homeophobic pro sports is. Pooch at how the pressie made Ian Thorpe leave swimming, and kept Jim and countless other athletes in the closet.
on May 10th, 2010 at 2:36 PM
If and when ENDA ever passes and becomes law, this question will be illegal.
on May 11th, 2010 at 1:38 PM
Did anyone see the film from 1969 called “The Gay Decievers”? If you haven’t it’s a great nostalgic look at the early gay scene, which sadly isn’t much different from today—lots of queens. Anyway, the movie is about these two buddies who try to dodge the Vietnam draft by posing as gay. They have to move in together in a gay hood in LA to escpae the watchful eye of the suspicious draft board. The film has an interesting twist at the end which I won’t tell. All I’ll say is, perhaps this is the same reason why the NFL asks players if they are gay. Maybe???
on May 12th, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Don’t you think the NFL would be more interested in how the candidate actually plays the game? What an unbelievable question. I think the better questions they should be asking: Have you ever driven under the influence. Have you ever been involved in a hit and run accident, have you ever been accused of domestic violence or sexual assault, have you ever participated in or bet on dog fights, are you in the habit of going to bars while carrying a gun?
I guess by asking the above they might get some useful information. Unless abusing drugs, vehicular homicide, total disregard for women, and animal cruelty are considered to be positive factors in the selection choice to become a member of the NFL fraternity.
on Apr 13th, 2011 at 1:46 PM
@Linda C: You’re a hypocrite. First you say: “Don’t you think the NFL would be more interested in how the candidate actually plays the game? What an unbelievable question.” Then you say better questions include questions about hit-and-runs, DUIs, domestic violence, etc. What the hell do those questions have to do with “how the candidate actually plays the game”?
Teams have a right to know about the personal lives of candidates because they are investing big money in their players and have a right to know what excessive baggage/distractions they might bring.