Why are there NO openly Gay Footballers?

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

and what differance would that make ?

and does that mean any player who has made a lifestyle choice should declare it ?

A lifestyle choice?

It's not declaring it as such. More just being open and honest about who they are like almost everyone else. We know Mancini is married so why not know that Player X is in a civil partnership? And, crucially, not have an issue with it.

of course its a lifestyle choice

I choose not to shag fat birds but my mate always goes for them and his rational is
" he always gets laid "

some people choose to sleep with people of their own sex its a choice they make

there is no gay gene Fact !

it has been proved to be nurture not nature being gay is a chioce people make and I do defend their right to make that choice

just that some gay people seem to think they are some sort of sub species and are very precious about it

What a load of complete and utter horseshit.
It never ceases to amaze me just how folk like you manage to walk upright.

 

[BlueMooney]

Can I remind all you frightfully inclusive and tolerant souls that homosexuality is a sin

Don't take my word for it gentlemen, consult your holy bible

I don't give two hoots what the Bible says. You're allowed to pick and choose the relevant bits (eating shrimp is a sin, wearing fabric made of two types of cloth is a sin, trimming the sides of your beard - all of which seem fine now, surely it has to be all or none?), so you'll forgive me for not taking it too seriously.

In fact, some of us don't live our lives by what was written in a book some two thousand years ago, preferring instead to make our moral judgements based on rational, humane thought rather than what somebody thought might or might not be right back then.

 

[Santiago Street]

I thought most pinko liberals lived their lives by the moral judgements lain down by bien pensant metropolitan "thinkers" such as Polly Toynbee and various BBC mandarins rather than developing their own opinions.

I assumed that's why they all trot out the same old cliches time and time again when discussing current affairs.

 

[BlueMooney]

I thought most pinko liberals lived their lives by the moral judgements lain down by bien pensant metropolitan "thinkers" such as Polly Toynbee and various BBC mandarins rather than developing their own opinions.

I assumed that's why they all trot out the same old cliches time and time again when discussing current affairs.

Go on, then, humour me - why can you pick which bits of the Bible are no longer relevant because society's moved on?

 

[mcmanus]

Can I remind all you frightfully inclusive and tolerant souls that homosexuality is a sin

Don't take my word for it gentlemen, consult your holy bible

Yep totally agree. I cannot think of any reason why a few books written a couple of millennium ago are not the perfect guide to living in 2013. I cannot argue with folk who believe in others walking on water or killing ones self will result in a place to fuck 72 virgins. These books are the word of Jebus.

 

[Plaything of the gods]

Can I remind all you frightfully inclusive and tolerant souls that homosexuality is a sin

Don't take my word for it gentlemen, consult your holey bible

Fixed

 

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

I thought most pinko liberals lived their lives by the moral judgements lain down by bien pensant metropolitan "thinkers" such as Polly Toynbee and various BBC mandarins rather than developing their own opinions.

I assumed that's why they all trot out the same old cliches time and time again when discussing current affairs.

Anyone got any idea what this loon is actually on about, and just what relevance this post has to the thread?
Anyone?

 

[acquiesce]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/05/four-nfl-players-coming-out-ayanbadejo

I know, American Football blah blah blah. Would be a huge step forward, and a good was of thinking sharing the pressure at the same time together. I hope if comes to pass.

Four NFL players are considering coming out as gay in one joint announcement, a player claimed on Friday.

The former Baltimore Ravens (and currently free-agent) linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who is an outspoken advocate of LGBT rights, said the players were "trying to be organized" so they could come out on the same day, in what he said would be a "monumental" occasion for the NFL. Ayanbadejo said he was helping to lay plans for the announcement in co-ordination with the National Football League. A joint announcement would spread the burden of coming out, he said, drawing focus away from just one person.

There are currently no openly gay NFL players, although there has been speculation in recent weeks that a current player is "strongly considering" coming out.

Ayanbadejo, who has long been a vocal advocate of same-sex marriage and other LGBT issues, was honoured along with Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe at the Straight for Equality Gala in New York on Thursday. His suggestion that four players could reveal they were gay at the same time would be an unprecedented moment in a sport dogged by homophobia. The linebacker, who was cut from the Ravens despite being part of their Super Bowl-winning squad last season, made the comments in an interview with the Baltimore Sun on Friday.

"I think it will happen sooner than you think," Ayanbadejo said when asked about the possibility of a player coming out. "We're in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now and they're trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out."

While Ayanbadejo and Kluwe have been outspoken in their support for gay team-mates, in recent months other NFL players have been criticised for homophobic remarks.

In the build-up to Super Bowl XLVII, the San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver said "'I don't do the gay guys, man", when asked about the possibility of having a gay team-mate. Culliver suggested gay players should only come out after their career was over. Last month, the Seattle Seahawks defensive end Christopher Clemons said if an NFL player was to come out it would "immediately separate a locker room and divide a team". He said it would be a "selfish act".

Ayandebajo told the Baltimore Sun that he accepted that not everyone would be welcoming if a player were to come out, but said that if a group of players were to make the announcement together that could alleviate the situation.

"Of course, there would be backlash," he said. "If they could share the backlash, it would be more positive. It's cool. It's exciting. We're in talks with a few guys who are considering it. The NFL and organizations are already being proactive and open if a player does it and if something negative happens. We'll see what happens."

 

[peoffrey]

Religion is a personal choice whilst Homosexuality is not. I can understand how criticism of one is fairer than another providing it's constructive.

 

[acquiesce]

Another big step in this becoming a non-issue.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9223657/jason-collins-first-openly-gay-active-player

NBA center Jason Collins on Monday announced that he's gay in a story for Sports Illustrated, becoming the first active player in a major American team sport to announce that he is gay.

"I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation," Collins wrote. "I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different.' If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."

NBA commissioner David Stern commended Collins for his announcement.

"As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family. Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue," Stern said in a statement.

Jason's twin brother, Jarron Collins, played for 10 seasons in the NBA, last with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2010-11.

The NBA Players Association also said in a statement that it supported Collins.

"As Jason wrote, pro basketball is a family, and he has and always will be our brother. The NBPA is dedicated to fighting for the best interests of and uniting all players regardless of race, creed, color, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. Today is another example that we are intent on continuing that work.

"We congratulate Jason for having the courage to 'raise his hand,' as he wrote in his story, and start the conversation."

The reaction of other active players has always been a question when it comes to an athlete in a major sport coming out. Other players don't get any bigger than Kobe Bryant, who tweeted his support Monday.

"Proud of @jasoncollins34," the tweet read. "Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU"

While Bryant was accepting of Collins, NFL players Mike Wallace and Alphonso Smith were among athletes to take a dissenting tone on Twitter.

Wallace deleted two tweets about the subject, then later wrote, "never said anything was right or wrong I just said I don't understand!! Deeply sorry for anyone that I offended."

Smith, meanwhile, wrote in a series of tweets that, "it's a shame I have to apologize for my TRUE feelings."

White House spokesman Jay Carney called Collins courageous and said the White House supports Collins and views his decision as another example of progress and evolution in the U.S. as Americans grow more accepting of gay rights and same-sex marriage. Last year, during his re-election campaign, President Barack Obama announced his support for gay marriage.

Former President Bill Clinton, whose daughter Chelsea attended Stanford with Collins, also applauded Collins' announcement.

"Jason's announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] community," he said in a statement. "It is also the straightforward statement of a good man who wants no more than what so many of us seek: to be able to be who we are; to do our work; to build families and to contribute to our communities.

"For so many members of the LGBT community, these simple goals remain elusive. I hope that everyone, particularly Jason's colleagues in the NBA, the media and his many fans extend to him their support and the respect he has earned."

The 34-year-old Collins, who is a free agent, ended last season with the Washington Wizards after being traded by the Boston Celtics.

"Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball," he wrote. "I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful."

Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld issued a statement on behalf of the team:

"We are extremely proud of Jason and support his decision to live his life proudly and openly. He has been a leader on and off the court and an outstanding teammate throughout his NBA career. Those qualities will continue to serve him both as a player and as a positive role model for others of all sexual orientation."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said in a statement that he was "extremely happy and proud" of Collins.

"He is the consummate professional and he is one of my favorite 'team' players I have ever coached. If you have learned anything from Jackie Robinson, it is that teammates are always the first to accept. It will be society who has to learn tolerance. One of my favorite sayings is, 'I am who I am, are whom we are, can be what I want to be, its not up to you, it's just me being me,' " Rivers said.

Collins has an endorsement deal with Nike, which issued a statement of support.

"We admire Jason's courage and are proud that he is a Nike athlete. Nike believes in a level playing field where an athlete's sexual orientation is not a consideration," it read.

Collins wrote that he first considered coming out during the 2011 NBA lockout, which interrupted his routine and "forced me to confront who I really am and what I really want."

He said the first relative he told he was gay was his aunt Teri, who is a superior court judge in San Francisco. He said she told him, "I've known you were gay for years," which made him "comfortable in my own skin."

Collins said he realized he needed to make his sexual orientation public when his former roommate at Stanford, Massachusetts congressman Joe Kennedy, who is straight, marched in Boston's Gay Pride Parade last year.

The Boston Marathon bombings earlier this month then reinforced to him "that I shouldn't wait for the circumstances of my coming out to be perfect. Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully?

"When I told Joe a few weeks ago that I was gay, he was grateful that I trusted him. He asked me to join him in 2013. We'll be marching on June 8," Collins wrote.

Collins said that he told his brother during a breakfast meeting last summer.

"He never suspected. So much for twin telepathy," Collins wrote. "But by dinner that night, he was full of brotherly love. For the first time in our lives, he wanted to step in and protect me."

Collins says he quietly made a statement for gay rights even while keeping his sexual orientation a secret. He wore No. 98 with the Celtics and Wizards -- 1998 was the year that Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming, was killed, and the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization, was founded.

In 713 career games with the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Celtics and Wizards, Collins has averaged 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Philadelphia 76ers president Rod Thorn, who acquired Collins in a draft-day trade when he was in the Nets' front office, told ESPNNewYork.com's Ian O'Connor that he doesn't believe teams will discriminate against Collins in the free-agent market.

"It's so hard to get good players, and tough enough keep them once you get them, that I think virtually everybody looks at players now and asks, 'Can he help us?' I just don't think his sexual orientation matters in today's world," he said.

Collins' statement is quickly showing signs of resonating.

He picked up more followers on Twitter in the hour after his story than in his previous 430 days on the social networking site, going from 3,700 to over 9,000. A short time later @jasoncollins34 had over 13,000 followers.

Several male athletes have previously come out after they retired, including the NBA's John Amaechi, the NFL's Esera Tuaolo and Major League Baseball's Billy Bean. But Collins is the first to do so while planning to continue playing.

Professional soccer player Robbie Rogers, who publicly came out early this year, tweeted, "I feel a movement coming," in reaction to Collins' announcement.

Advocacy organization GLAAD released a statement from Aaron McQuade, the head of its sports program.

"'Courage' and 'inspiration' are words that get thrown around a lot in sports, but Jason Collins has given both ideas a brand new context," he said. "We hope that his future team will welcome him, and that fans of the NBA and sports in general will applaud him. We know that the NBA will proudly support him, and that countless young LGBT athletes now have a new hero."

The co-founders of You Can Play, a Denver-based non-profit organization advocating for equal treatment for LGBT athletes, coaches and fans, also saluted Collins.

"A man with a big heart, speaking a couple of small words, has helped change the course of sports," co-founder Brian Kitts said. "Saying 'I'm gay' sets a new standard of honesty, openness and teamwork that will positively affect athletes and fans at every level of sports."

Co-founders Patrick Burke and Glenn Witman, meanwhile, hailed Collins as a "role model."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.