Good conversation on the Rubin Report about Tony Dungy and Michael Sam. I think Dungy really showed how close-minded he is. His unwillingness, as the first African-American NFL coach, to see how important Sam is to diversity in the game, is rather stunning.
Anyhow, watch. Rubin always has something interesting to say.
I was going to write about this, then I read the great George Takei’s take and, well, why try to reinvent the wheel when the master has already said everything that needs to be said. Let Uncle George have the last word.
Much has been said about the moment when Michael Sam kissed his boyfriend on national television, as they joyfully and spontaneously celebrated the news of Sam’s drafting by the Rams. They embraced and kissed just like many other happy heterosexual couples do when one of them receives life-changing, great news. CONTINUE READING
Michael Sam kisses his boyfriend after learning that he had been drafted by the St. Louis Rams.
At the absolute worst, this teammate finds you attractive and has a moment of weakness and lets one little glance slip that you catch, and you notice because you’re (of course) already staring at him. Now you know how the thousands upon thousands of breasts you’ve stared at slack-jawed in your lifetime feel. Congratulations, Margaret, you’ve just become a woman!
via How to Behave Around Your Gay Teammate in the Locker Room | The Second City Network.
Priceless. It’s funny as hell — because it’s from Second City — but it rings pretty true. Take a read. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll want to head to a locker room!
Members of the media have long been the biggest deterrent to gay athletes coming out. Attitudes in the NFL shifted years ago, and even where they haven’t, players will accept a productive gay teammate whether they realize it or not.
Yet the mainstream media continues to pound the drum of NFL intolerance. A common theme I heard from “experts” in the last two weeks mentioned how Jason Collins’ coming out was lovely, but we all know how hard it really will be for an out NFL player in the locker room. On this issue, the mainstream media has showed a dereliction of duty for a decade. This is simply the latest example.
Yes, Cyd. Absolutely right.
via Cyd Zeigler: Chris Kluwe and Brendon Ayanbadejo Were Not Cut for LGBT Activism.
Equality advocate Chris Kluwe of the Minnesota Vikings. Photo: Getty/Huffington Post.
Chris Kluwe, Minnesota Vikings Punter, Defends Gay Athletes In CNN Editorial.
Chris Kluwe is the best! He’s passionate and he just gets it. Also, he defies — utterly and completely — the stereotype of the dumb, uninformed jock. Which, in this case, I think, is perfect, since he’s all about breaking down stereotypes for others.
Like Brendon Ayanbadejo of my hometown Baltimore Ravens, Kluwe makes me want to root for the Minnesota Vikings simply because he’s on the team. Maybe I’ll pull for both teams this year!
Excellent op-ed by Foxworth. Definitely worth a read.
Domonique Foxworth: It’s Time for All Jocks to Embrace Diversity. |Huffington Post
While we are still waiting for the gay pioneer in professional football, I can tell you that I already admire his bravery and selflessness — he will be trading peace and the ability to “fit in” for added pressure and intense scrutiny. All I can offer is my support, and hopefully he will feel emboldened knowing that he will have earned a permanent place in American sports and civil rights history.
Former NFL cornerback Dononique Foxworth retired from the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. He is now president of the NFL Players Association and an outspoken advocate for LGBT acceptance in professional sports. Photo: Keith Allison|Wikimedia Commons
One Last Word 