NFL notebook

Miami owner to investigate

Bryant offered apology by GM

Associated Press / April 29, 2010

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Dolphins owner Stephen Ross will “take appropriate actions if necessary’’ against general manager Jeff Ireland for asking former Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant whether his mother was ever a prostitute.

Ireland apologized for the question, and the NFL players’ union raised concerns yesterday about discrimination and degradation.

Ross issued a statement saying he’ll look into the matter personally.

“As an owner of many companies and organizations, including the Miami Dolphins, I have always strived to comply with the highest standards in all aspects of my businesses, including recruiting,’’ Ross said. “In interviewing employees, we always look to obtain relevant and appropriate information in adherence with the best industry practices.’’

An NFL statement said Ireland “exercised poor judgment in asking an insensitive and inappropriate question.’’

League spokesman Greg Aiello added, “Steve Ross’s statement makes clear that the Miami Dolphins intend to address this matter promptly in an effective and thoughtful way.’’

Ireland’s apology came only after Yahoo! Sports reported that he posed the question weeks ago during a predraft interview with Bryant.

“My job is to find out as much information as possible about a player that I’m considering drafting,’’ Ireland said in a statement. “Sometimes that leads to asking in-depth questions. Having said that, I talked to Dez Bryant and told him I used poor judgment in one of the questions I asked him. I certainly meant no disrespect and apologized to him. I appreciate his acceptance of that apology, and I told him I wished him well.’’

Before the draft, Bryant’s background received extensive scrutiny from NFL teams because of concerns about character issues. He was taken by the Cowboys with the 24th pick in the first round last Thursday.

“My mom is not a prostitute,’’ Bryant told Yahoo! Sports. As for his reaction to Ireland’s question: “I got mad — really mad — but I didn’t show it.’’

NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said Ireland’s question raised worrisome issues.

“We need to make sure the men of this league are treated as businessmen,’’ Smith said in a statement. “During interviews, our players and prospective players should never be subjected to discrimination or degradation stemming from the biases or misconceptions held by team personnel.’’

Report: Clady hurt

Broncos All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady has undergone surgery to repair a torn left patellar tendon and will be out for several months. The Denver Post reported on its website that Clady suffered the injury while playing basketball. Team spokesman Patrick Smyth declined to comment on the report when reached by the AP, saying only that veterans were participating this week in the team’s offseason training program. Clady’s agent, Pat Dye Jr., didn’t immediately return a phone call . . . The Cardinals have re-signed nose tackle Bryan Robinson to a one-year contract. The 13-year veteran has started the last two seasons after stints with St. Louis, Chicago, Miami, and Cincinnati. The signing follows the selection of nose tackle Dan Williams of Tennessee by the Cardinals in the first round of last week’s draft . . . The Cowboys have signed defensive back Alan Ball, whose playing time figures to increase after the release of safety Ken Hamlin . . . The Bears traded safety Kevin Payne to the Rams for an undisclosed 2011 draft pick. The move came one day after the Bears traded for Panthers safety Chris Harris . . . The Raiders, in need of depth in the backfield, signed free agent running back Rock Cartwright. The Raiders cut halfback Justin Fargas last month and are thin at fullback.