INDIANAPOLIS -- Jets coach Todd Bowles will leave the NFL Scouting Combine to tend to a personal matter, according to a league source, who declined to offer specifics.
Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan were originally scheduled to address reporters Wednesday at the Combine. But that session was moved to Thursday.
And then came Wednesday's news that Bowles will leave Indianapolis. The New York Daily News reported Bowles will leave to attend his ex-wife's funeral on Friday in Richmond, Va.
It is not clear when Bowles will leave the Combine and when he will return. The NFL Scouting Combine began Tuesday and concludes Monday. The Jets have yet to announce any changes to Bowles' scheduled Thursday media session, so he is still expected to address reporters then.
A Jets spokesman declined to comment on Bowles leaving the Combine.
Bowles' ex-wife, Jill Jenkins Bowles, died Feb. 19, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The visitation is Thursday evening, the funeral Friday afternoon.
NFL coaches are not required by the league to speak with reporters at the Combine, so Bowles' press conference in Indianapolis is a voluntary exercise. Bowles is also scheduled to observe and meet with NFL Draft prospects at the Combine.
Of course, a serious family matter like a death should always take priority, especially when the Jets still have a large contingent of scouts, coaches, and front office executives in Indianapolis for the Combine. Team reps spend hours at the Combine interviewing prospects.
Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan were originally scheduled to address reporters Wednesday at the Combine. But that session was moved to Thursday.
And then came Wednesday's news that Bowles will leave Indianapolis. The New York Daily News reported Bowles will leave to attend his ex-wife's funeral on Friday in Richmond, Va.
It is not clear when Bowles will leave the Combine and when he will return. The NFL Scouting Combine began Tuesday and concludes Monday. The Jets have yet to announce any changes to Bowles' scheduled Thursday media session, so he is still expected to address reporters then.
A Jets spokesman declined to comment on Bowles leaving the Combine.
Bowles' ex-wife, Jill Jenkins Bowles, died Feb. 19, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The visitation is Thursday evening, the funeral Friday afternoon.
NFL coaches are not required by the league to speak with reporters at the Combine, so Bowles' press conference in Indianapolis is a voluntary exercise. Bowles is also scheduled to observe and meet with NFL Draft prospects at the Combine.
Of course, a serious family matter like a death should always take priority, especially when the Jets still have a large contingent of scouts, coaches, and front office executives in Indianapolis for the Combine. Team reps spend hours at the Combine interviewing prospects.
