BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the team has been in contact with the league and is not expecting a fine after one of the assistant coaches asked a prospect "if he liked men" at the NFL scouting combine.
The league was satisfied with the team’s swift action and found no other abuses.
“I addressed that with them,” Quinn said. “I had a great conversation with (NFL's executive vice president of football operations) Troy (Vincent) and (NFL commissioner) Roger (Goodell) and all of the people there. It was nice to have their full support once they understood what happened and what we were doing. The coach stepped in it and (we told them) here’s what we are doing. This issue is behind us.”
In the aftermath, the Falcons had a training seminar with a league-approved counselor with the entire coaching staff regarding social responsibility.
STATEMENTS FROM EARLIER
Statement from Dan Quinn“I have spoken to every coach on our staff individually and collectively today in regards to what happened at the Combine. The inappropriate conversation occurred between one of our position coaches and the player; it was not during one of our formal 15-minute interviews. Following my discussions with the coaches, we have taken additional steps to ensure our entire staff is well educated on the appropriate questions and comments that should be made during these processes. We had a training seminar with a league-approved counselor here at our facility today with our entire coaching staff regarding social responsibility. Our organization holds itself to a very high standard and we will learn from this.”
Statement from Marquand Manuel:
“I take full responsibility for the inappropriate question I asked at the Combine. It was wrong and I apologize to Eli Apple, Mr. Blank, the entire Falcons organization, my family, and our Falcon fans for my insensitivity. I understand it was inappropriate and the offense people have taken to it. I have had an individual counseling session on social responsibility today, and was part of a staff session as well, and found it very valuable in learning from this situation. Moving forward, I will become a better man by going through all of this.”
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