First openly gay NFL player to come out soon?

[Deberg_1990]

Would this really be that big a deal anymore??



http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/mi...er-to-come-out



Former NFL player Scott Fujita has seen enough. He's tired of the bigotry. He wants it to end. He's not alone.

Players like Fujita, along with a coalition of current and former NFL players, and NFL team owners, a music mogul and others, are working diligently to create a safe atmosphere for the day history will happen: when an openly gay man will be a member of an NFL club. People like Fujita -- brave people -- are attempting to make the issue a non-issue for when that day comes.

And there are serious indications that day may come sooner than later. While I've long believed I would not see an openly gay NFL player for decades, that might be wrong.

Based on interviews over the past several weeks with current and former players, I'm told that a current gay NFL player is strongly considering coming out publicly within the next few months -- and after doing so, the player would attempt to continue his career.

I'm told this player feels the time is now for someone to take this step -- despite homophobic remarks from San Francisco 49ers defensive back Chris Culliver and the controversy arising recently at the Indianapolis Scouting combine, when prospects were asked questions about their sexuality.

This player's true concern, I'm told, is not the reaction inside an NFL locker room but outside of it. The player fears he will suffer serious harm from homophobic fans, and that is the only thing preventing him from coming out. My sources will not say who this alleged player is.

There has never been an active openly gay player in a major American team sport, but the information I've gathered on the player in question comes from several current and former players.

"I honestly think the players of the NFL have been ready for an openly gay player for quite some time now," said Fujita, a free agent linebacker who has played for the Chiefs, Cowboys, Saints and Browns. "Trust me, the coming out of a player would create much bigger waves outside the locker room than inside. The way I've seen the conversation around LGBT issues evolve, especially in the past few years, has been encouraging. Guys are more accepting than they used to be. Even those who raise personal objections to homosexuality, some of whom are good friends of mine, would still be able to coexist and accept a gay teammate."

Over the past few days there's been a flurry of activity on the issue including a brief filed by Fujita and others in support of a marriage equality case before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear oral arguments on California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. Opponents of the proposition say it discriminates against gay men and women.

To Fujita and others, this is an important case that could have ramifications in the NFL. If the Supreme Court overturns Proposition 8, it would send yet another signal to closeted gay NFL players that the environment is changing for the better.

The brief's supporters are impressive. They include: Giants co-owner Steve Tisch; Demaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA; Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo; Marie Tillman, co-founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation; Russell Simmons, founder of Def Jam Records; former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans; Browns center Alex Mack; and NFL players Connor Barwin, D'Qwell Jackson, Tom Crabtree, Eric Winston and Scott Shanle, among others.

There is a feeling among people who have fought this battle for years that a corner is about to be turned. I don't know. While my faith in humanity remains tepid, it's balanced by my faith in people like Fujita.

[Stanley Nickels]

Originally Posted by loochy

you don't think that the distribution of that 10% might be skewed? i'd think that gay folks would try to avoid an environment like that...

You're forgetting that much of the 10% are men and women who either live in denial or believe they can "change" their sexuality. There's a whole range of behavioral reactions to having feelings that parts of society believe are immoral and "unnatural". It's easy for you and I to say "if I were gay, I'd be open and proud", but we've never had to deal with anything remotely like that. (Sorry to speak for you, but I'm just making an assumption)

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by loochy

how is that a fact? you didn't know them

Statistically 10% are gay and in that large of a group its probably going to be close to the proper number.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Statistically 10% are gay and in that large of a group its probably going to be close to the proper number.

Like I said earlier, don't you think that that 10% might be skewed away from a group that acts and behaves in a manner consistent with what is expected of a fraternity (i.e. groupthink, hazing, etc)? Conventional viewpoints would think that would be a bad situation for a gay man.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

This is a really good point that I hadn't considered. If a team will target RGIII's legs because it offers a potentially huge competitive advantage, you can damn well bet that someone will disregard their own opinions, if it means affecting a player's performance. Whether it's Manti Te'o, The Unnamed Gay (good CP handle idea, there), or anyone else, there's a psychological battle that benefits the ones who have the least dirt that can be used against them.

DT's Monday Night meltdown is a perfect example of this in the most heterosexual context possible.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by loochy

Like I said earlier, don't you think that that 10% might be skewed away from a group that acts and behaves in a manner consistent with what is expected of a fraternity (i.e. groupthink, hazing, etc)? Conventional viewpoints would think that would be a bad situation for a gay man.

I would hazard a guess that the percentage is higher in frats, just based on their behavior and the desire to live in a house with a bunch of dudes.

[Canofbier]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I wouldn't have enjoyed being around an openly gay guy in my frat in college. It's possible one of the 100 was but it certainly wasn't known. I wouldn't shower in the common area with the possibility he'd show up in there. Anyone who can't understand the natural aversion straight males have to this, is a ****ing moron.

I'd imagine that the majority of people in this thread are straight males, and there isn't any lack of people lining up to argue against you. It's awfully presumptuous of you to assume that your experience is representative of straight men as a whole.

There is no doubt that there are some in the NFL that would be uncomfortable with a homosexual teammate. Based on what Fujita is saying, however, it sounds like most players are willing to accept a teammate for what or who he is. Given the other issues that the players have on their plates (keeping their spots on the depth chart, practicing for their next game), I doubt that having a few gay players on the team would alter the locker room dynamic much.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

I guess 'tribal' and suds' would have no problem and actually feel very comfortable in the locker room with a naked gay black guy on each side of them potentially wanting to play 'oreo cookie' or if the gay guys were white then they could play 'vanilla wafered'.

If they don't make a big issue out of it, I have no problem. One of my cousins is gay so I'm very tolerant .

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

It's estimated that 10% of the population is gay. %.

No it's not. It's 2-3%.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Canofbier

I'd imagine that the majority of people in this thread are straight males, and there isn't any lack of people lining up to argue against you. It's awfully presumptuous of you to assume that your experience is representative of straight men as a whole..

You can't be serious. What people say on a message board and what people would actually do when confronted with a situation are two completely different things.

[boogblaster]

tolerant .. thats the problem now .. go bak in the closets you unnatural sob's .....

[scho63]

I don't care if every Chiefs player were gay if they get us to the Super Bowl and win.

"Just win baby"

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

I guess 'tribal' and suds' would have no problem and actually feel very comfortable in the locker room with a naked gay black guy on each side of them potentially wanting to play 'oreo cookie' or if the gay guys were white then they could play 'vanilla wafered'.:

Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this. Really a lot. Like, way more than a normal straight guy would. Food for thought.

[Canofbier]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

You can't be serious. What people say on a message board and what people would actually do when confronted with a situation are two completely different things.

Depends on the person, I guess. I have absolutely no incentive to put on a front here on CP; I say what I mean, and I don't exaggerate my opinions to try and make myself look better.

[houstonwhodat]

Should this be a sticky?

[gblowfish]

He's super, thanks for asking!