Monday’s headlines were dominated by Jason Collins’ decision to open up about his sexual orientation, which opened up the door for athletes everywhere to be able to do the same one day. For the most part, there was wide-spread support around the league about his decision.
Jason Collins reveals he is gay
Emeka Okafor was one of the first to know that Collins would break the news nationally, from Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports:
“The Washington Wizards’ Emeka Okafor had no idea that the phone call he took from a teammate Monday morning would include a heads-up on news that would forever change sports. Okafor was one of the select people Jason Collins gave advance notice that he was telling the world he was gay in a first-person article posted on Sports Illustrated’s website. Collins’ announcement made him the first active player in one of the U.S.’s four major pro sports leagues to come out. Okafor said Collins was “calm, collected and cool” during their conversation.”
Some, however, weren’t all necessarily 100 percent supportive. Chris Broussard of ESPN created major controversy by stating his opinion about what it means to be a homosexual on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines”, transcribed by Ben Golliver of SI:
“I’m a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is. [ESPN’s] L.Z. [Granderson] knows that. He and I have played on basketball teams together for several years. We’ve gone out, had lunch together, we’ve had good conversations, good laughs together. He knows where I stand and I know where he stands. I don’t criticize him, he doesn’t criticize me, and call me a bigot, call me ignorant, call me intolerant.
“In talking to some people around the league, there’s a lot Christians in the NBA and just because they disagree with that lifestyle, they don’t want to be called bigoted and intolerant and things like that. That’s what LZ was getting at. Just like I may tolerate someone whose lifestyle I disagree with, he can tolerate my beliefs. He disagrees with my beliefs and my lifestyle but true tolerance and acceptance is being able to handle that as mature adults and not criticize each other and call each other names.
“… Personally, I don’t believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an opnely premarital sex between heterosexuals, if you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that’s a sin. If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be, I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ. I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I do not think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian.”
Mark Jackson was also somewhat part of the controversy in saying he will pray for Collins, from Marcus Thompson of Mercury News:
I will not share my thoughts on this particular matter, simply because the topic goes completely beyond basketball.
Onto other news from around the league:
Broussard shouldn’t be “attacked”? That’s ridiculous. He’s given his opinion on television, publicly, on twitter, on purpose – and it’s what he’s paid to do. He’s on the soapbox – who’s opinion am I supposed to argue about, attack, if it’s not his? He brought this upon himself, and I’m glad he did. People that are going to say the disagree with a “lifestyle” and hide behind their religion should all come forward. I see people even calling Broussard brave? When people have used his faith as justification for beating, murdering, and intimidating homosexuals for centuries? It’s not brave to hide behind The Bible – it’s cowardice.
John Steppling is a prime example of an ignorant intolerant individual, who claims the tolerance means agreement and silencE
oh ouch. Whats the problem joe? Calling someone a sinner is bigoted. Thats obvious. He’s entitled to say whatever he wants. As am I and as are you. But you might work on your logic.
broussard’s opinions however are bigoted. Calling someone a sinner is hardly neutral. I do agree that this wasnt exactly earth shaking news. It was however long over due. So good for jason collins. Its time for the broussard reactionaries (Christians it seems, mostly) to keep THEIR bias private.
If by Christian beliefs wat Collins is doing is sinning, then how is Broussards opinions bigoted? Wats bias about Christian beliefs? And why should WE keep our thoughts private while the ones who are PRO gay can say watever they want? Wat happen to freedom of speech? Chris didn’t bash Collins whatsoever
To be fair to Broussard, I don’t think he would have made those remarks without first getting clearance from ESPN management. Chris is usually very careful with his words. He was being interviewed all morning and afternoon on the subject, and was very Politically Correct with his wording up until that point. It was obvious to me though, that he wasn’t expressing his true feelings, because I’d seen him express those thoughts on Twitter before.
Broussard shouldn’t be attacked however. He should be allowed to have his opinion just like everyone else. I blame ESPN for taking advantage of this ratings opportunity, especially if they Okayed Broussard “coming out”. The more controversy the better for ESPN. This was no Jackie Robinson moment today. Not even 1/10 of 1% as significant.
Instead, its likely that as an unintended consequence of Collins “coming out” that some GM or Owner will put him on a Roster next season.
Also, I find it odd that ESPN didn’t make a big deal about the Brittney Griner admission of being a Lesbian, last week. I have theories as to why.
After all that has been said, I have to believe that these incidences will have the exact opposite effect, for those expecting the Supreme Court to rule on the side of Gay Marriage in June.