I don't think it was an appropriate comment in any context. However, for the sake of journalistic integrity (of which I have none), I wasn't there and do not know the exact situation.
The NFL is well-known for objectifying players. They are viewed as commidities and are discarded with ease. This incident shines a light on a much bigger problem. It is safe to assume that the question during Bryant's interview is not the worst question that a prospect has ever been asked.
The rising contracts and available resources for NFL rookies has helped to further this attitude. With the top picks getting coached on interviews and receiving the top salaries in the entire League, the pressure has been put on NFL general managers to get production out of their draft picks or quickly be replaced. The employment world outside of the NFL is no different. A $40 per hour employee is going to be scrutinized in the interview process much more than a $10 an hour employee.
These types of interviewing methods are accepted by the prospective draftees because of the money at stake. The NFL minimum for rookies is $285,000 and that is an exceptional salary in any industry. They view the chance to play in the NFL and make a great salary as far outweighing being treated in way that we might believe to be degrading or dehumanizing. The players have the choice to not be subjected to this type of behavior and enter the regular work world like the rest of us (where you can be treated poorly in also) or to deal with the scrutiny of the NFL.
The NFL has proposed to cut the rising cost of rookie salaries by about 75% and reduce the lengths of their contract from 5-6 years to 3 years. (I brought up the subject in a previous post.) This would solve the problem of the teams being tied to busts with long term contracts and big money.
This change wouldn't effect the overall attitude of NFL toward the treatment of players, but could change the paranoia and anxiety related to paying huge salaries to top prospects with issues like Bryant. The interview process would not be as important because the player would be more disposable.
The ugly side of the NFL has shown its face. Now the NFL needs to figure out how to put some makeup on it.
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