Our generation’s biggest fight is happening right now. And I’m not talking about the war in the Middle East or the economic crisis that is currently going on in our country. I’m talking about the fight for gay rights. Our nation is strongly divided on this issue, and the sentiments are now carrying over into the sports world. Athletes all around our nation are pitching in their two cents, and although they are also split on the issue, the side that is against having gay teammates in the locker room is the one that is being heard strongest.
Over the past year, notable athletes such as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Detroit Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter and San Francisco 49ERS cornerback Chris Culliver have said inflammatory comments about potentially having a gay teammate. Each of these remarks has contributed to an overall negative view of gay rights in the sports world, and its a point of view that needs to stop right now.
Culliver’s comments before this year’s Super Bowl were easily the most offensive. His tirade against having a potentially gay teammate drew the ire of most of the NFL, most notably its senior officials and the 49ERS organization.
“I don’t do the gay guys, man. I don’t do that. No, we don’t got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do. Can’t be with that sweet stuff. Nah… can’t be… in the locker room man. Nah,” Culliver said to shock jock Artie Lange on the Super Bowl’s Media Day.
Culliver later issued a retraction, and the 49ERS organization issued a statement in support of the LGBTQ community in San Francisco. But the damage was already done, and as I stated above, that is only the tip of the iceberg.
Meanwhile, Hunter’s statements, although warranted, would have been better left unsaid.
“For me, as a Christian… I will be uncomfortable because in all my teachings and all my learning, biblically, it’s not right,” Hunter told the Los Angeles Times earlier this year. “It will be difficult and uncomfortable.”
Peterson’s comments were along the same line. But the fact of the matter remains: a lot of athletes, whether they are Christian or not, would have a hard time accepting a possible gay teammate. Why is that? Is it some sort of masculinity concept to not like teammates that are of a different sexual orientation than their own? Because, if so, then that is a totally wrong and outdated point of view in today’s society.
This issue has taken its strongest roots in the NFL. Players such as Falcons defensive back Asante Samuel and Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace have come against potential homosexual teammates in the locker room.
Samuel and Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons believe a player should just leave his sexuality at home.
“Straight people are not announcing they’re straight, so why does everybody have to announce their sexuality or whatever? You know, what they prefer,” Samuel said in an interview with Fox Sports Radio. “I have nothing but respect for the people whoever decisions they make and whatever, but, you know, you don’t have to show it and flaunt it like that. You know what I’m saying, we have kids out here too.”
Wallace, however, took a more blunt approach on Twitter just a few weeks after signing a huge contract with Miami.
“All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH…” said Wallace on the social media site shortly after NBA center Jason Collins became the first active professional athlete in America to announce that he was gay.
All of these negative points of view have really hurt the future of other athletes coming out, and it’s a sad sight to see. Collins should be celebrated. Instead, not a single team has signed him, even though he still has quite a bit to offer a team that needs a backup big man.
However, there is hope for the future. Sixty-two active NFL players have come out as supportive of potential gay athletes in the NFL. These players include Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, Raiders defensive back Charles Woodson and Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.
“I hope if someone’s thinking about [coming out], that if they do come out as gay and it makes them happy and it makes their life easier, then I think they should do it,” Luck told CNN. “My first reaction is really good for him. It’s the 21st century, and I know I would have absolutely no problem with it. I hope no one would treat him any differently than any straight player, no special treatment — he’s just another guy.”
Suggs made another strong set of comments to outsports.com.
“We don’t care. Our biggest thing in the locker room is to just have fun and stay loose. We don’t really care too much about that. We’re a football team. I said it yesterday; everybody deserves a certain amount of privacy. Who cares? Whatever a person’s choice is, it’s their choice. On this team, with so many different personalities, we just accept people for who they are and we don’t really care too much about a player’s sexuality,” Suggs said. “To each their own. You know who you are, and we accept you for it.”
Athletes coming out as gay or lesbian in the other lesser known sports have also had an easier time than Collins. The LA Galaxy’s Robbie Rogers, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s Megan Rapinoe and Brittney Griner, the No.1 overall draft pick by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA Draft, have all come out as gay or lesbian with little fanfare or fuss. So why is it so hard for athletes such as Hunter and Wallace to accept a potentially gay teammate?
We have reached the time where these athletes need to follow the example of those who are willing to accept teammates who like the same gender, or just shut up. These men and women are supposed to be role models. But right now, the majority of them aren’t acting like it. And that’s just unacceptable. Grow up. Be open to alternative lifestyles. Then maybe the landscape for athletes who want to come out and express their true sexual nature will be much more accepting.
Jordan Llanes can be reached at jordan.llanes@theminaretonline.com.