The NFL has concluded its investigation into claims of inappropriate questions of draft prospect Derrius Guice by one of its teams at the NFL Combine — including if he is gay — finding no corroboration of the claim.
The investigation has spanned nearly two months, during which time the league said it has interviewed Guice, his agent, representatives from about 20 teams that interviewed Guice at the Combine, and other individuals connected to the story.
The full NFL statement, via spokesperson Brian McCarthy:
Following reports concerning the interviews of Derrius Guice at the Scouting Combine, the League conducted a thorough investigation which included a formal review and report from every club that interviewed Mr. Guice during the Combine, as well as discussions with Mr. Guice, his agent and others. The investigation did not confirm that any club made the reported inquiries. Nonetheless, we used this opportunity to reaffirm our workplace standards and emphasize the importance of fully complying with all requirements of federal and state law. The NFL and each of its member clubs remain fully committed to fair and non-discriminatory employment practices.
In March, Guice, a running back at LSU and a hot NFL Draft prospect, gave an interview to NFL Radio on SiriusXM in which he led people to believe he had been asked by a team at the Combine if he was gay. Guice said:
Some people are really trying to get in your head and test your reaction. … I go in one room, and a team will ask me do I like men, just to see my reaction. I go in another room, they’ll try to bring up one of my family members or something and tell me, ‘Hey, I heard your mom sells herself. How do you feel about that?’
Now in light of the conclusion of the NFL’s investigation, that statement could have been more like speculation or embellishment on the part of Guice. It is still unclear what exactly Guice told the NFL.
Various media outlets, fans and others, including Outsports, criticized the NFL for not having properly addressed this situation when it first arose two years ago. At that time draft prospect Eli Apple said publicly he had been asked by a coach with the Atlanta Falcons if he “liked men.” That claim was later substantiated.
The 2018 NFL Draft starts Thursday.
