Interesting bit today on Boston sports talk radio about homophobia in sports. They got a lot of calls, texts, and tweets from people saying they would never let gays play for their teams, but the radio hosts held strong and insisted that if anyone thinks there has never been a gay player for any Boston-area professional sports team then they are fooling themselves.


Of the Big 4 I think hockey would have the easiest time handling a popular player coming out just because of where the strongest fan bases are and basketball would be the toughest.

http://youcanplayproject.org/

5/24/2012 2:40:00 AM

this is an opportune time to play the race card

5/24/2012 7:09:41 AM

WWCJD?

5/24/2012 7:49:57 AM

I was a big fan of this show for the one season it ran. It would have continued if it were an HBO series.

http://iusportcom.com/uncategorized/five-reasons-why-playmakers-was-cancelled-for-being-too-good/

Quote :

"One of the reasons it was canceled: It touches on important and risky issues. It adds depth to the characters. In episode 9, Thad Guerwitcz is outted by his partner David to his entire team. Talk about pushing boundaries, as rumors circulate about a closeted man on the cougars news teams ask each player what they think about the ordeal. Some joke about it, some try to be as nice and professional as possible about it, and some flat out say it’s unnatural. Guerwitcz denies, and is ostracized by his teammates and encouraged to go on IR by his owner and coach. Once Thad makes all star, as the only player from the team going, he has the courage to come out. He gave his inspiring, strong speech to his teammates at that moment. Definitely not something you would expect from a sports show."

5/24/2012 8:10:59 AM

5/24/2012 8:12:08 AM

this thread is gay

5/24/2012 8:18:29 AM

^^lol, I just looked him up to get the reference and wow

Quote :

""Well, you know I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States." He also said that if he found out he had one or more gay teammates, he would try to get them fired."

5/24/2012 8:27:51 AM

A gay athlete should probably just keep that a secret during his playing career ala Amechi. Coming out while playing is just asking for trouble due to the culture of most professional sports.

Honestly though why is it such a big deal to be telling everyone who you screw and why do gay people act like they need to tell everyone. Just live your life and do your job. I don't tell people I work with about my sex life and I don't give a crap about my co-workers sex life either.

5/24/2012 9:10:31 AM

I think it's not about telling everybody, it's about not having to hide it from everybody.

5/24/2012 9:20:44 AM

Quote :

" Of the Big 4 I think hockey would have the easiest time handling a popular player coming out just because of where the strongest fan bases are and basketball would be the toughest."

Because black people are more homophobic, right? To me, this reads like racism disguised as homophobia, to me.


And chances are there are several gay professional athletes. And I bet their teammates know. And their coaches know too. The problem is that this whole "coming out" thing puts way too much pressure on gays. Just let them live. Because the first guy to put his gay lifestyle on display for the media and public-at-large will automatically become a "social hero" to a bunch of people... and maybe most athletes don't want that in their life.

5/24/2012 9:35:43 AM

Quote :

"Because the first guy to put his gay lifestyle on display for the media and public-at-large will automatically become a "social hero" to a bunch of people... and maybe most athletes don't want that in their life."

Yeh, most athletes go into pro sports for the lack of attention & under-the-radar lifestyle it brings them

5/24/2012 9:39:48 AM

Not everybody's the star QB, point guard, etc.

If the Titans 3rd string left guard came out he'd likely turn into the face of some movement, and you damn sure wouldn't know who he was beforehand.

5/24/2012 9:46:19 AM

I'd like a really good linebacker in the AFC East to come out of the closet and rape Tebow.

5/24/2012 10:09:33 AM

I think arachnophobia is the bigger issue in professional sports.

5/24/2012 10:34:50 AM

Quote :

" I was a big fan of this show for the one season it ran. It would have continued if it were an HBO series."

playmakers got canceled for one reason and one reason alone: the NFL didn't like it.

ESPN couldn't risk pissing off the most popular sports league in the country. That would be akin to you peddling a sex tape of your boss. Just not a good idea.

5/24/2012 10:54:44 AM

^I always hoped HBO would somehow revive the series.

5/24/2012 11:29:29 AM

^^ Right. That's basically what I meant. Of course ESPN was going to do what the NFL wanted. And a network like HBO would've given them the finger.

5/24/2012 11:36:58 AM

no, they probably wouldn't have

they suck out of the teat of the NFL just like everyone else

5/24/2012 11:40:54 AM

Starz is the only real network that could pull it off the right way. They have no NFL ties whatsoever, and need another anchor once Spartacus runs it course.

5/24/2012 11:50:35 AM

back to the topic at hand

what would be a bigger deal?

an NBA Superstar coming out or a big-name rapper?

5/24/2012 12:28:15 PM

5/24/2012 1:08:23 PM

"homophobia"

one of those kinda words that...

5/24/2012 1:24:32 PM

Quote :

"Because black people are more homophobic, right? To me, this reads like racism disguised as homophobia, to me."

By assuming that I meant "black people" by the NBA would make you guilty of racism, sir. There is a clear cut difference between NBA culture vs NHL/MLB/NFL regardless of the race distribution. Hockey and baseball players seem, at least to me, to be more accepting of each other as human beings.

Quote :

"Honestly though why is it such a big deal to be telling everyone who you screw and why do gay people act like they need to tell everyone. Just live your life and do your job. I don't tell people I work with about my sex life and I don't give a crap about my co-workers sex life either."

Plenty of athletes, and celebrities in general, publicly discuss their sex lives all the time. I agree with this:

Quote :

"it's about not having to hide it from everybody."

5/25/2012 1:12:14 AM

Cedric benson

5/25/2012 1:56:36 AM

UConn Hockey made an announcement as a team that they would accept gay players:

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/7968996/uconn-gay-hockey-players-welcome-play-connecticut-huskies

5/25/2012 2:49:52 AM

Quote :

"Hockey and baseball players seem, at least to me, to be more accepting of each other as human beings."

baseball players? really? i don't see that.

5/25/2012 10:31:58 AM

Science ITT

5/25/2012 10:33:35 AM

ESPN = homophobic

5/25/2012 10:46:08 AM

Are you saying Hank Williams Jr is gay and they fired him because of homophobia?

5/25/2012 11:20:36 AM

5/25/2012 12:04:09 PM

So, on sunday i got coffee from a gay guy.
He was an incredibly happy fellow and i think i envy him some.

I think he and they as a culture tend to be happier because the ones you know are gay... don't give a fuck what other people think about them. I think that is the key to happiness for everyone. Because as soon as you don't care about other people you can do what you really want rather then focusing on keeping up with the joneses or trying to be the manliest man on the block.

This guy was talking to my wife about his ballerina classes (or whatever you call that stuff) and i was just standing there like damn... it takes some balls to be a fucking ballerina and not care what people think about you... Mad props to you Mr. Barista.

5/31/2012 11:17:59 AM

for gays to make a major breakthrough in the world of sports, it will take an extremely dominant athlete to come out while he is still playing.

someone super dominant like lebron or a-rod...then, no one will talk shit, because the gay guy is still way better

5/31/2012 11:35:56 AM

Lots of people who don't like soccer seem to think a lot of the players are gay. Are there any open gay soccer players?

5/31/2012 1:08:22 PM

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/players/02/28/poll.0228/

Tuesday February 28, 2006

[Based on a survey of 450 MLB players, 248 NBA players, 357 NFL players and 346 NHL players]
Would you welcome an openly gay teammate?

MLB
Yes .....61.5%
No .....34.8%
Don't Know ....3.7%

NBA
Yes .....59.6%
No .....38.6%
Don't Know ....1.8%

NFL
Yes .....56.9%
No .....39.6%
Don't Know ....3.5%

NHL
Yes .....79.9%
No .....18%
Don't Know ....2.1%

5/31/2012 1:34:51 PM

^^

5/31/2012 1:36:11 PM

There are plenty of lesbos in the WNBA

5/31/2012 5:08:06 PM

openly lesbionic?

5/31/2012 5:36:55 PM

WNBA is a sport?

5/31/2012 7:13:14 PM

ibtlewisje

5/31/2012 7:58:06 PM

Not professional but definitely relevant:

VCU volleyball coach claims he was fired because of his sexual orientation.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8695613/vcu-rams-volleyball-coach-james-finley-says-was-fired-gay

12/1/2012 1:37:30 AM

A gay man as a women's volleyball coach ?!?!

Now I've heard everything!

12/1/2012 1:44:44 AM

that Hank Williams pic always makes me lol

12/1/2012 1:49:57 AM

Quote :

"And chances are there are several gay professional athletes. And I bet their teammates know. And their coaches know too. The problem is that this whole "coming out" thing puts way too much pressure on gays. Just let them live. Because the first guy to put his gay lifestyle on display for the media and public-at-large will automatically become a "social hero" to a bunch of people... and maybe most athletes don't want that in their life."

this is a pre-1947 mentality, btw

12/1/2012 3:00:37 AM

^^

12/1/2012 3:07:37 AM

Gtfo with this bullshit conversation

12/1/2012 5:48:33 AM

Homophobia isn't fear of gay people. It's ignorance.

12/1/2012 9:19:44 AM

Quote :

"Gtfo with this bullshit conversation"

u mad bro?

12/1/2012 9:38:31 AM

Quote :

"Because the first guy to put his gay lifestyle on display for the media and public-at-large will automatically become a "social hero" to a bunch of people... and maybe most athletes don't want that in their life."

Right, because no one wants to be the Jackie Robinson of their generation?

1/4/2013 3:27:53 PM

i didn't realize gay people were not allowed to play professional sports (except in leagues made up only of homosexuals).

[Edited on January 4, 2013 at 4:40 PM. Reason : .]

1/4/2013 4:39:47 PM

Can't hide being black. Right Sammy?

1/4/2013 4:41:59 PM