Written by Scott Polacek at BleacherReport.com
The NFL informed teams of a policy change for the NFL Scouting Combine “in a memo from the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent late last month,” per Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today.
Jones provided the details Monday: “The NFL will no longer allow players with convictions for domestic violence, sexual assault or weapons offenses to attend the annual scouting combine in Indianapolis.”
“Invited prospects would be barred from ‘any league-related event’ if a background check turns up a felony or misdemeanor conviction,” Jones noted. “Players that refuse to submit to a background check will also be uninvited.”
Those players would also not be invited to the draft.
Jones pointed out former Michigan Wolverines linebacker and Seattle Seahawks second-round pick Frank Clark would not have been allowed at the combine for the 2015 draft if the rule had been in place then, noting “Clark pleaded guilty to a lesser charge after an arrest for a domestic violence incident.”
No. 1 pick Jameis Winston would have been allowed to attend the 2015 combine and draft, however, because he was never convicted for sexual assault allegations.
In terms of the upcoming combine and draft, TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin could be one of the first to face the repercussions of this policy change. Boykin was charged with felony assault of a police officer and suspended for his team’s Alamo Bowl showdown with Oregon.
If Boykin is banned from the combine, he will have another avenue through which to make an impression on NFL teams, per Jones: “Vincent told teams that players who are barred from the combine will have no restrictions from attending other private workouts, pro days and regional combines.”
Vincent also highlighted the importance of values in the memo, per Jones: “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,” Vincent wrote.
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