I just heard this story on today's episode of PTI and I am absolutely appalled. Not only is this question completely irrelevant as to whether Dez would have been a good WR for the Dolphins (or even whether he's a good person!), this is completely, totally, and utterly insulting, demeaning, and irresponsible. And if you ask me, it should be actionable too. Bryant said he was furious but didn't let his anger show. Good for him!
Mike and Tony on PTI speculated that the only possible explanation for this question is was meant to gauge Bryant's response: see if he flies off the wheel and attacked Ireland or something like that. Even if that was the purpose, that is still a completely out-of-bounds question. And you know what? I don't think many people would have blamed Bryant if he DID do just that.
I don't expect Roger Goodell to do anything about this, but I sure as hell think he SHOULD do something. Unbelievable.
Not condoning but I imagine it was a question to see how he would react. Dez wants to play with the big boys and big boys play rough, real rough. Plus with the events of the last year, there are concerns. I am amazed he is as together as he is considering what he has gone through. Fortunately, he's with the Cowboys not the Dolphins.
This is simply a screening question. It is designed to see how he reacts to unexpected, personal insult. It goes to show how he conducts himself in various off the field circumstances. It was to show his mental make up.
Just like when the Volts asked Ryan Leaf what he was going to do with his first paycheck.(he answered "take my friends to Vegas for a weekend if partying")
They were suspect of his personality, so they asked him a question to gauge his personality.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeThis is simply a screening question. It is designed to see how he reacts to unexpected, personal insult. It goes to show how he conducts himself in various off the field circumstances. It was to show his mental make up.
Just like when the Volts asked Ryan Leaf what he was going to do with his first paycheck.(he answered "take my friends to Vegas for a weekend if partying")
They were suspect of his personality, so they asked him a question to gauge his personality.
While the purpose might be the same, there's a slight difference between asking what someone's going to do with their money and if their mother's blowing guys for said money. There's really another way they could've and should've gone to check his makeup.
You wanted the best, you got... the Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"YES. There are so many HIV+ people I'm gonna have sex with now." (JustinShapiro)
Originally posted by StaggerLeeJust like when the Volts asked Ryan Leaf what he was going to do with his first paycheck.(he answered "take my friends to Vegas for a weekend if partying")
Asking someone what they're going to do with their newfound riches versus asking whether or not someone's mom is a whore isn't exactly the same thing.
Those people defending Jeff Ireland in this thread need to maybe brush up on their manners. Yes, I understand that it maybe/probably was a screening question to see how he handles rudeness, an insult, whatever you want to call it. I acknowledged that in my original post, and it appears that most sports commentators have acknowledged that possibility as well. But as drjayphd stated, there are far more appropriate ways to achieve this goal. I also still stand by my assertion that ANYBODY, regardless of the questions about their personality or maturity, would be completely justified in going off on Ireland.
And yes, I realize that it's possible, maybe even likely, that an opposing player or fan will taunt him about his family's past. So that suddenly makes it okay for an NFL general manager to call his mom a whore? Are you people serious??
And by the way, Ireland has already apologized to Dez Bryant personally and acknowledged he was way out of line. So those of you defending him are completely on your own on this one.
If it were me, at best I would have said "This interview is over, and I'd prefer it if you removed me from your draft considerations." At worst I would have punched the guy in the face.
Originally posted by Psycho PenguinYeah, uh, I'm pretty sure fans and opposing players would probably bring it up, so it's best to get that out of the way now.
He should just follow the advice of Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse:
For the record (if anybody is keeping a record) I didn't mean to infer that I condoned the question being asked. We had just talked about similar things in a job interview in an ethics class I am in.
I go with the removing me from the draft advice followed by a "Go Fuck Yourself." The kid has played ball in HS and College, so its not like he hasn't been insulated before, I'd be shock if that was the most he heard on and off the field. You just don't do that during a professional interview. The guy apologizing after the story hit instead of during the meeting is pretty telling to me. Bill Parcells is a God in this league, but when was the last time he won a Super Bowl or even go to one? Ten years, ago. He hires assholes when he was coaching too. Being an asshole on the field doesn't mean you should hire them to do your scouting. Its not like the Dolphins are going anywhere in that division anyway. If this was any place but the NFL, you can beat your ass that company would be hearing from the Better Business Bureau or some lawyers if they asked that question. These idiotic draft questions have to stop. Its ok to ask what you would do with the money or other on the surface personal questions, but this is way out of line.
Originally posted by lotjxI go with the removing me from the draft advice followed by a "Go Fuck Yourself." The kid has played ball in HS and College, so its not like he hasn't been insulated before, I'd be shock if that was the most he heard on and off the field. You just don't do that during a professional interview. The guy apologizing after the story hit instead of during the meeting is pretty telling to me. Bill Parcells is a God in this league, but when was the last time he won a Super Bowl or even go to one? Ten years, ago. He hires assholes when he was coaching too. Being an asshole on the field doesn't mean you should hire them to do your scouting. Its not like the Dolphins are going anywhere in that division anyway. If this was any place but the NFL, you can beat your ass that company would be hearing from the Better Business Bureau or some lawyers if they asked that question. These idiotic draft questions have to stop. Its ok to ask what you would do with the money or other on the surface personal questions, but this is way out of line.
(edited by lotjx on 28.4.10 1002)
He went 10 years ago? My memory may be bad but it's probably more like 15, wasn't the last one 1995 with the Patriots? Then he went to the Jets who almost made it but didn't?
Originally posted by lotjxThe guy apologizing after the story hit instead of during the meeting is pretty telling to me.
This is the part that caught my attention. I understand the point of baiting someone for a reaction when you're talking about a commitment of a 7-8 figure salary and the future of an NFL franchise, and trying to see if a guy's makeup allows for him to take a personal insult in stride. Personally, I don't agree with it, but I understand it. Why not, at the end of the interview, say something like, "Dez, that was a really uncomfortable question for me to ask, and since it totally wasn't my intention to offend you or your mother, I apologize for any offense you took from that." I'm not sure I'd believe that it was a question Ireland didn't intend to ask before the interview started, so if he just asked that question and let things ride, I think he deserves whatever backlash he winds up with.
I can't defend this question at all. There is no reason to ask a question like this in a job interview. I'm pretty sure I'd be fired for asking an applicant if his mom was a whore. I'm not even sure I could legally ask about your family members in a job interview.
Originally posted by lotjx If this was any place but the NFL, you can beat your ass that company would be hearing from the Better Business Bureau
The BBB is a really ineffective company, not a government agency, that gives low scores to companies that don't pay for membership. Once a company pays for membership, their score can jump from a F to an A (why piss off your paying customers that make 90% of your income). They ONLY way to get an A in their rating formula is to be a paying member.
From the site's 5 things you may not know about the BBB section
1) The Better Business Bureau is NOT a government agency. Instead the BBB is a private 501(c)(6) organization with $143 Million in annual revenues derived from membership dues it receives from the very businesses it reports on.
2) Attorney General questions new BBB Grading System. The Connecticut Attorney General is looking into the practices of the Better Business Bureau after they gave their annual Torch Award for Best Business to Custom Basement, a firm under investigation for violation of consumer protection laws.
3) U.S. Representative says BBB negatively classify businesses they don't like. Addressing Congress, US Representative Corrine Brown said some BBB's libel and slander small businesses they don't like while rating other companies with terrible records as being satisfactory.
4) Membership in the BBB guarantees a better grade. By their own admission, membership in the Better Business Bureau improves a business' grade. Calling this a membership service is a misnomer, it more closely resembles an advertising service where "members" pay to play.
5) Even the Better Business Bureau is NOT a member of the BBB. Not only does this exhibit a lack of confidence in their own product, it makes it impossible for anyone to complain about the Better Business Bureau to the organization.
If one wants real satisfaction and action, go to the FTC or Dept. of Labor.
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Now, to get back on track, I think Bryant did the mature thing and took the high road. People would defend him if he punched out Ireland, but who wants to draft a kid that punches GMs (even if the GM derserved it)? He makes himself look good to all the other teams by staying calm.
Two sources familiar with the situation contend that Ireland's question was nothing more than the logical follow-up to comments Bryant had made about his family. According to the sources, Ireland began the meeting by asking Bryant, 21, about his upbringing and his relationship with his siblings. Then he asked what Bryant's father did for a living when Bryant was growing up. The following exchange allegedly ensued:
"My dad was a pimp."
"What did your mom do [for a living]?"
"She worked for my dad."
"Your mom was a prostitute?"
"No, she wasn't a prostitute."
Michigan against the SEC: 20-5-1 (7-3 in bowl games)
The main reason was he destroyed the phone that the N F L wanted to look at. Destroying cell phone just doesn't make sense at all, and is a terrible excuse.