In discussing the Combine on the CJ & Kreckman show, Kasa said, "I think the whole point of the week is to play with your mind to see if you stay focused and stay driven. There was a couple of questions by coaches.... They try to catch you off guard or try to say something you wouldn't normally say...to see if they can get a reaction. They're trying to see how badly they can get in your mind."
Examples? "They ask you like, 'Do you have a girlfriend? Are you married? Do you like girls?'" Kasa added, "Those kinds of things. It was kind of weird. But they would ask you with a straight face, and it's a pretty weird experience altogether."To hear the entire interview, click here
The portion of the conversation excerpted above is not just unwise, but probably illegal. Here's a link-filled blurb from a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission page about discrimination:The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA), as amended, also protects federal government applicants and employees from discrimination in personnel actions (see "Prohibited Personnel Practices" http://www.opm.gov/ovrsight/proidx.asp) based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or on conduct which does not adversely affect the performance of the applicant or employee -- which can include sexual orientation or transgender (gender identity) status. The Office of Special Counsel (OSC), www.osc.gov, and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), www.mspb.gov, enforce the prohibitions against federal employment discrimination codified in the CSRA. For more information, see OPM's Addressing Sexual Orientation Discrimination in Federal Civilian Employment at www.opm.gov/er/address2/guide01.htm, OPM's Guidance Regarding the Employment of Transgender Individuals in the Federal Workplace at www.opm.gov/diversity/Transgender/Guidance.asp, and OSC's Prohibited Personnel Practices and How to File a Complaint at http://www.osc.gov/ppp.htm.Beyond legal concerns, such questions about sexual orientation are just plain dumb given the tenor of the times. There still hasn't been an active NFL player to come out as gay -- not because there aren't any (math tells us there must be), but probably due to the sort of anti-homosexual culture associated with macho sports. But times may be changing, albeit slowly, as demonstrated by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo's pro-gay marriage statements during Super Bowl week.
In the meantime, Kasa's comments have created calls for an investigation. As well they should.
Continue for an ESPN video about the controversy, followed by Kasa's CU Buffs bio.
