Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Some believe atmosphere is safe for gay NFL player to come out
www.cbssports.com ^ | March 25, 2013 8:29 am ET | Mike Freeman

Posted on 03/25/2013 11:25:12 AM PDT by Red Badger

Former NFL player Scott Fujita has seen enough. He's tired of the bigotry. He wants it to end. He's not alone.

Players like Fujita, along with a coalition of current and former NFL players, and NFL team owners, a music mogul and others, are working diligently to create a safe atmosphere for the day history will happen: when an openly gay man will be a member of an NFL club. People like Fujita -- brave people -- are attempting to make the issue a non-issue for when that day comes.

And there are serious indications that day may come sooner than later. While I've long believed I would not see an openly gay NFL player for decades, that might be wrong.

Based on interviews over the past several weeks with current and former players, I'm told that a current gay NFL player is strongly considering coming out publicly within the next few months -- and after doing so, the player would attempt to continue his career.

I'm told this player feels the time is now for someone to take this step -- despite homophobic remarks from San Francisco 49ers defensive back Chris Culliver and the controversy arising recently at the Indianapolis Scouting combine, when prospects were asked questions about their sexuality.

This player's true concern, I'm told, is not the reaction inside an NFL locker room but outside of it. The player fears he will suffer serious harm from homophobic fans, and that is the only thing preventing him from coming out. My sources will not say who this alleged player is.

There has never been an active openly gay player in a major American team sport, but the information I've gathered on the player in question comes from several current and former players.

"I honestly think the players of the NFL have been ready for an openly gay player for quite some time now," said Fujita, a free agent linebacker who has played for the Chiefs, Cowboys, Saints and Browns. "Trust me, the coming out of a player would create much bigger waves outside the locker room than inside. The way I've seen the conversation around LGBT issues evolve, especially in the past few years, has been encouraging. Guys are more accepting than they used to be. Even those who raise personal objections to homosexuality, some of whom are good friends of mine, would still be able to coexist and accept a gay teammate."

Over the past few days there's been a flurry of activity on the issue including a brief filed by Fujita and others in support of a marriage equality case before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear oral arguments on California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. Opponents of the proposition say it discriminates against gay men and women.

To Fujita and others, this is an important case that could have ramifications in the NFL. If the Supreme Court overturns Proposition 8, it would send yet another signal to closeted gay NFL players that the environment is changing for the better.

The brief's supporters are impressive. They include: Giants co-owner Steve Tisch; Demaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA; Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo; Marie Tillman, co-founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation; Russell Simmons, founder of Def Jam Records; former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans; Browns center Alex Mack; and NFL players Connor Barwin, D'Qwell Jackson, Tom Crabtree, Eric Winston and Scott Shanle, among others.

There is a feeling among people who have fought this battle for years that a corner is about to be turned. I don't know. While my faith in humanity remains tepid, it's balanced by my faith in people like Fujita.


TOPICS: Society; Sports
KEYWORDS: athletes; football; gayagenda; homosexualagenda; nfl
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last

1 posted on 03/25/2013 11:25:12 AM PDT by Red Badger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

Ping....


2 posted on 03/25/2013 11:25:39 AM PDT by Red Badger (Lincoln freed the slaves. Obama just got them ALL back......................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Football faggotry... rah rah rah!


3 posted on 03/25/2013 11:27:02 AM PDT by Third Person (Do the Strandski!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Why are 50% of news stories about faggots?!?

I’m just going to start talking about how I love vagina all the time.


4 posted on 03/25/2013 11:27:20 AM PDT by EEGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
In before the wide receiver jokes,

5,4,3...

5 posted on 03/25/2013 11:27:49 AM PDT by gov_bean_ counter (Hope and Change has become Attack and Obfuscate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear oral arguments on same-sex marriage”

There’s a joke in there somewhere...


6 posted on 03/25/2013 11:29:03 AM PDT by V_TWIN (obama=where there's smoke, there's mirrors)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

add a fake birth certificate and the Communist Manifesto and you, too, can grow up to become President?


7 posted on 03/25/2013 11:30:01 AM PDT by faithhopecharity (()
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

8 posted on 03/25/2013 11:30:18 AM PDT by dfwgator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: faithhopecharity

oops, not quite. also gotta memorize the ‘holy’ koran...


9 posted on 03/25/2013 11:31:26 AM PDT by faithhopecharity (()
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

The homos will need their own dressing room. Don’t want them getting chubbies before the game looking at their team mates


10 posted on 03/25/2013 11:31:29 AM PDT by jrg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Absolutely Nobama; Thunder90; 4everontheRight; ABG(anybody but Gore); Abbeville Conservative; ...

NFL PING

FReepmail Perdogg to be added to, or to be taken off the NFL Ping list...
11 posted on 03/25/2013 11:33:02 AM PDT by Perdogg (Sen Ted Cruz is my adoptive Senator)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

No more Tight Ends. Only Wide Receivers.


12 posted on 03/25/2013 11:34:10 AM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie (zerogottago)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“I’m told that a current gay NFL player is strongly considering coming out publicly within the next few months...”

There will be a direct correlation between the quality of his play and the criticism her receives. If he is one of the best players at his position, he will be well respected by fans, coaches and other players. If he is mediocre, he will be criticized by many.


13 posted on 03/25/2013 11:35:23 AM PDT by OKRA2012
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger; All
"Some believe atmosphere is safe for gay NFL player to come out."

WHICH planet's atmosphere???.......(..insert Uranus joke in this spot..)???

14 posted on 03/25/2013 11:39:02 AM PDT by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

He’s safe as far as I’m concerned, since I couldn’t care less.


15 posted on 03/25/2013 11:40:37 AM PDT by ozzymandus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ozzymandus

I soooo hope it’s Deshawn Jackson of the Eagles.......


16 posted on 03/25/2013 11:42:15 AM PDT by Red Badger (Lincoln freed the slaves. Obama just got them ALL back......................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: OKRA2012
If he is mediocre, he will be criticized by many.

I don't think many fans, coaches or players will care much, regardless of how good he is. But if this happens, there will be a mediagasm the likes of which we've never seen, and the facts will quickly become irrelevant to those writing as the story takes on its own life.

17 posted on 03/25/2013 11:43:11 AM PDT by trad_anglican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

God help me. Just play d@mn football guys!


18 posted on 03/25/2013 11:46:39 AM PDT by poobear (Socialism in the minds of the elites, is a con-game for the serfs, nothing more.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: trad_anglican

Please notice that I did not mention media along with players, coaches and fans.

There will be some media who hype his play for a few games and if the hype is deserved, he will continue to receive media attention. A few too many fumbles, interceptions, missed tackles, missed field goals and he will be forgotten.

Perform well in the NFL and no one is going to care what you do off the field.


19 posted on 03/25/2013 11:48:58 AM PDT by OKRA2012
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: gov_bean_ counter
In before the wide receiver jokes, 5,4,3...

Don't forget their slower, bigger compatriots: the tight ends.

20 posted on 03/25/2013 11:52:41 AM PDT by KarlInOhio (Choose one: the yellow and black flag of the Tea Party or the white flag of the Republican Party.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson