NFL Has New Game Plan To Fight Anti-Gay Bias: NY Attorney General

The National Football League -- which does not have and has never had an openly gay player -- will step up its efforts to fight discrimination based on sexual orientation, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Wednesday.

The action comes after at least three college football players said they had been asked about their sexual orientation during NFL recruitment interviews earlier this year -- and as speculation has exploded that one or more current players may come out soon.

As a result of discussions with Schneiderman's office, the NFL will display posters in locker rooms that communicate the league's anti-discrimination rules, and all 32 teams in the league will undergo training, including the people involved in hiring and recruitment, Schneiderman said.

The NFL also will improve methods for reporting harassment and will check in periodically with the attorney general's office to track its progress. The league did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Michigan's Denard Robinson, Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell and Nick Kasa of Colorado have told various news media that during their participation in the NFL's Scouting Combine, a recruitment event, they were asked if they liked girls or had girlfriends.

Schneiderman said those improper questions during the scouting combine led his office to review the NFL's anti-discrimination policies.

"Today, we are sending a powerful message that discrimination and harassment will not be tolerated in any form," Schneiderman said in a statement. "My office is committed to ensuring equal protection under the law for all employees and job applicants no matter where they work."

Domonique Foxworth, president of the NFL Players Association, applauded the effort to create a more inclusive environment in professional football.

"The NFLPA appreciates Attorney General Schneiderman's leadership to ending discrimination and to hold the NFL owners accountable to the highest professional standards in our workplace," Foxworth said in a statement.

(Reuters)