The NFL is making its annual scouting combine off-limits to participants with convictions for domestic violence, sexual assault or weapons offenses, according to a report from USA Today.
A memo sent to NFL teams last month indicates the league will bar any player with a felony or misdemeanor conviction for those offenses from attending “any league-related event.” Anyone who refuses to submit for a background check for such convictions also won’t be invited to any league events. In addition to the scouting combine, that includes the NFL Draft.
Players barred from the NFL combine will still be allowed to hold private workouts, as well as participate in college pro days and regional combines.
Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations, wrote the memo, which stated this is an attempt to improve the character of the league. USA Today obtained a copy of the memo, which included the following quote:
“It is important for us to remain strongly committed to league values as we demonstrate to our fans, future players, coaches, general managers, and others who support our game that character matters.”
The NFL’s decision has been met with near-unanimous approval on Twitter.
@NFL has banned players with domestic violence or sex assault convictions from the NFL Combine. Big step in the right direction
— Ben Maez (@BenMaez) February 9, 2016
Great to see the new rule for being invited to the NFL Combine.I having been asking for this for years.
— christine golic (@ndmom) February 9, 2016
Had this policy been in place last year, Michigan defensive end Frank Clark would have been prohibited from participating in the scouting combine. Clark was selected in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in a domestic violence case while at Michigan.
What about Jameis Winston? He would have been allowed to participate in the combine because he wasn’t convicted of sexual assault, despite allegations and a civil lawsuit while at Florida State. The quarterback was selected No. 1 overall last year by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The NFL scouting combine is scheduled to take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in two weeks, from Feb. 23-29, with more than 300 players expected to participate. The NFL Draft will be held in Chicago from April 28-30.
