Falcons look like homophobic clowns
The Atlanta Falcons have been playing in the National Football League since 1966, but they are apparently still trying to figure out what it means to be professional.
Get out the thread and materials, because we are going to need a lot of clown suits.
At the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, teams were afforded more than 60 interviews of 15 minutes in length to speak with prospects in private. Atlanta apparently used this time to ask Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple if he likes men, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
For head coach Dan Quinn’s part, he is apologizing for the actions of an unnamed assistant who posed the question to Apple.
"“I am really disappointed in the question that was asked by one of our coaches,” Quinn said in statement sent to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday. “I have spoken to the coach that interviewed Eli Apple and explained to him how inappropriate and unprofessional this was. I have reiterated this to the entire coaching staff and I want to apologize to Eli for this even coming up. This is not what the Atlanta Falcons are about and it is not how we are going to conduct ourselves.”"
Quinn did the right thing by denouncing the action, but he needs to go the extra mile and relieve this coach of his duties. What kind of person asks that question in 2016, especially to a kid in a professional interview? The idea that gay men can’t play in the NFL is not only insulting and idiotic, it’s outdated.
Jerry Smith was a borderline Hall of Fame tight end for the Washington Redskins in the 1960s and 70s, yet was gay. It never impacted his ability to play, and almost assuredly legions of others have been gay and played football at the highest of levels.
The NFL should find out who this coach was and either ban or suspend the man indefinitely. The league was willing to take a first-round draft pick away from the New England Patriots for potentially deflating footballs (we are still waiting on the clear evidence) and suspended quarterback Tom Brady for four games. Isn’t asking a player (or better yet, a person) if he’s gay during an interview deserve a much harsher punishment?
The damn Falcons should be less concerned about the sexual preference of its players and more concerned about winning something. The team has existed for 50 years and the fans are still waiting for a championship. Hell, the Falcons have only enjoyed six seasons that included a playoff win.
Atlanta should be willing to put Boy George under center if that is what it takes to win a title. The offensive line could be the cast of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and the receivers could be Elton John and Richard Simmons if those men could play a better brand of football than this current mess of a team.