Jeff Ireland's Question Displays the Depth of Front Office Insolence

It's a widely known fact that receiver Dez Bryant met with Dolphins officials in the weeks leading up to the draft. The meeting occurred before Miami inked Brandon Marshall to a long-term contract and the team was still in search of a big-play receiver.

It seemed at the time that if all went well, there was a very realistic shot, with Dez's stock falling, he could be a possibility for the Dolphins at the No. 12 slot.

What was said during the interview has been kept confidential up until recently. A Yahoo! Sports report surfaced today about one of the questions allegedly asked by the team's general manager, Jeff Ireland.

Reportedly, Ireland shockingly asked Bryant if his mother had ever been a prostitute.

The question was not only in extremely poor taste, but it makes you question just what Ireland's motive possibly could be in asking it.

Yes, it has been well publicized in the weeks leading up the draft that Bryant comes from a troubled home, one where his mother, Angela, served time in jail for selling crack cocaine.

But to ask a question that is so disrespectful and so intrusive is just flat out wrong. It shows the arrogance many of these front-office types have when it comes to the draft process. Some are men playing with house money and who are well aware they can poke and prod away at prospects without any repercussions.

If Dez Bryant would have stood up and smacked Ireland, he would have certainly been justified (at least in my opinion).

But you know what?

He probably would have never stepped foot on an NFL field if he did.

Front offices know that these kids are so eager to have the opportunity to live out their dreams, that they can ask whatever questions they deem necessary without showing an ounce of respect or restraint.

Drugs, family, girlfriend problems, school, it's all fair game.

And the players have to be upfront and honest because if they aren't, they could fall and lose millions if they are found to be lying.

What other job interview could you possibly fathom having a question like this asked?

I understand a team invests millions, and it wants to find out what it's putting money into, but some stones are better left unturned. Dez Bryant's mother and his family past has nothing to do with how he can contribute to a team on the field, and, frankly, it's none of Jeff Ireland's business.

Every year, dozens of players are able to overcome their tough backgrounds and become great pro players. I'm now personally rooting for Bryant to become one of those great stories.

There are some terrific and caring human beings sitting in NFL front offices who treat their players with care and respect. However, there are also those who treat football strictly as a business and act as if their players are expendable.

It makes you wonder, as we watch these men give their blood, sweat, and tears to help the organization gain profit, why they do it if they are treated like common street trash.

As many of these players sacrifice their bodies, owners and GMs sit in their luxury boxes and count their millions year after year. Ireland may be a great GM and talent evaluator, but as a person, there is something severely lacking.

Hopefully, the NFL takes a look at this and establishes a policy that doesn't include embarrassing and disparaging potential draftees.