When the news of a Falcons assistant coach asking defensive back Eli Apple about his sexual preference went public last week, Falcons coach Dan Quinn apologized and said he had spoken to the assistant in question about the inappropriate nature of the query without revealing the coach’s name.
That coach came forward with an apology of his own on Monday. Secondary coach and senior defensive assistant Marquand Manuel, who played eight years in the NFL, issued a statement through the team.
“I take full responsibility for the inappropriate question I asked at the Combine,” Manuel said. “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.”
There were reportedly questions to other prospects along the lines of the one asked to Apple during the Combine and the NFL said they would look into the questioning.