We have our first gay pro athlete.

[Maximus]

I wish he weren't a free agent right now. He might not even be in the NBA next year and coming out now and then never playing again is really no different than when John Amaechi came out.

I hope he does catch on somewhere, because an openly gay current athlete would be a huge step forward.

I bet this helps get him signed. I could see Cuban signing him...or the Lakers.

Props to JC. It shouldn't be a big deal, but it is.

 

[chrisrich91]

I'm sorry.

I didn't see it as a big deal at all. That was a bit of an overreaction to your post.

It's been said a few times, but it's a shame this guy comes out after he is no longer deserving of a spot on an NBA roster...I hope he isn't using it to get a contract for publicity, but that's not worth speculating about. Hopefully this encourages more prominent athletes who will definitely have a roster spot next season in one of the 3 big leagues to come out.

 

[gourimoko]

I'm sorry.

:chuckles:

 

[Nathan S]

I didn't see it as a big deal at all. That was a bit of an overreaction to your post.

It's been said a few times, but it's a shame this guy comes out after he is no longer deserving of a spot on an NBA roster...I hope he isn't using it to get a contract for publicity, but that's not worth speculating about. Hopefully this encourages more prominent athletes who will definitely have a roster spot next season in one of the 3 big leagues to come out.

Agreed. Over/under 6 months until the next gay NBA player comes out?

 

[Walter White]

Suddenly, everything makes sense to Jaron.

 

[KI4MVP]

Can we not start the random speculation into who is gay and who isn't? Take that shit back to middle school where it belongs.

FFS, for the most part, we're adults here.

I agree except It doesn't even belong in middle school.

 

[Phills14]

How many messages has ESPN left on Chris Culliver's voice mail by now? 15? 20?

Also, I wonder what Tim Tebow has to say about this. :hide:

On a serious note. Glad to hear it. Hopefully society can move on from this ridiculous issue.

 

[Maximus]

This NFL sent out an anti-discrimination memo this morning that they want forwarded to all players. I'm guessing they've been made aware of the (4) players that are rumored to be coming out soon. I bet a dozen NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL players come out by year's end...100 soccer players too.

NFL reminds teams of anti-discrimination policy

Posted: Apr 29, 2013 11:46 AM EDTUpdated: Apr 29, 2013 12:36 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL distributed a document to its teams Monday reiterating its anti-discrimination policy on sexual orientation.

A memo sent Monday by Commissioner Roger Goodell to ownership, front-office personnel and coaches says: "Please ensure that this document is made available to all players and staff."

It includes a section on questions teams cannot ask prospective draft picks and free agents. After the NFL combine in February, three players said officials posed questions relating to their sexual orientation.

Examples given of prohibited queries include: "Do you like women or men? How well do you do with the ladies? Do you have a girlfriend?"

The document also says "any jokes, comments or pranks" about an employee's sexual orientation constitute harassment. Examples are "giving someone a sexual gag gift" or hiring a stripper for an employee's birthday party. "Offensive or degrading words or phrases" and posters or screen savers of a sexual nature are also harassment.

The timing of the memo proved appropriate. Later Monday, veteran NBA center Jason Collins became the first active male professional athlete in the four major North American sports leagues to come out as gay.

 

[RonG]

As the father of a gay son, all I can say is "About time!" I know this shouldn't be a big deal in 2013 but I can help but be a little happier right now.

 

[I.K.W.T]

Robbie Rogers from the MLS was the first, still, a big deal. Good day for sports.

 

[Kouki]

Pretty much had the same reaction as Damage; that is, not much of one. But then reading all the players' Tweets about the issue, I'm starting to realize just how big of a deal this is, especially because social media is so pervasive, we now hear thirty other NBA players enthusiastically support him...

These guys are definitely role models, especially for impressionable young people...if this catches on it could be a major breakthrough in gay discrimination.

Unfortunately it takes multiple generations, at least, to really "weed out" the intolerance, just like how racism still exists...but this is definitely progress.

 

[col63onel]

Robbie Rogers from the MLS was the first, still, a big deal. Good day for sports.

We meant major sport

 

[7foot3]

Robbie Rogers from the MLS was the first, still, a big deal. Good day for sports.

Well Bill Tilden was well before that, and for the suggestion that tennis isn't a major sport, it certainly was at that time, and that was because Tilden made it a major sport in America.

 

[Damage]

As the father of a gay son, all I can say is "About time!" I know this shouldn't be a big deal in 2013 but I can help but be a little happier right now.

Not that it's any of my fucking business, just curious if you knew before your son came out and how much, if any, bullshit from other people have you had to deal with.

 

[Silky Smooth]

This NFL sent out an anti-discrimination memo this morning that they want forwarded to all players. I'm guessing they've been made aware of the (4) players that are rumored to be coming out soon. I bet a dozen NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL players come out by year's end...100 soccer players too.

NFL reminds teams of anti-discrimination policy

Posted: Apr 29, 2013 11:46 AM EDTUpdated: Apr 29, 2013 12:36 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL distributed a document to its teams Monday reiterating its anti-discrimination policy on sexual orientation.

A memo sent Monday by Commissioner Roger Goodell to ownership, front-office personnel and coaches says: "Please ensure that this document is made available to all players and staff."

It includes a section on questions teams cannot ask prospective draft picks and free agents. After the NFL combine in February, three players said officials posed questions relating to their sexual orientation.

Examples given of prohibited queries include: "Do you like women or men? How well do you do with the ladies? Do you have a girlfriend?"

The document also says "any jokes, comments or pranks" about an employee's sexual orientation constitute harassment. Examples are "giving someone a sexual gag gift" or hiring a stripper for an employee's birthday party. "Offensive or degrading words or phrases" and posters or screen savers of a sexual nature are also harassment.

The timing of the memo proved appropriate. Later Monday, veteran NBA center Jason Collins became the first active male professional athlete in the four major North American sports leagues to come out as gay.

One things for sure, Antonio Cromartie is sure as hell not one of them.