Not long ago I predicted that a gay pro athlete would come out and said that it should not be a big deal. I forgot that some in the sport media are fixated on this issue and would not let it go. As a matter of fact, you get the feeling that they may be asking themselves what team they really play for.
Enter Jason Collins, a 12-year NBA veteran who attended Stanford University and has everything to live for. Collins decided to give the sports world what they wanted, an openly gay athlete. Good for him.
As I mentioned before, a person coming out today should not be considered odd, immoral or anything else that would be an eyebrow-raiser. And yet the reaction has been over the top.
I am not talking about all the support Collins received in countless messages from all walks of life including some of his NBA brethren and even the White House. In most cases, it was either “good for you” or “who really cares as it’s none of our business?” I am in support of both. Hey, if that is your thing, then have at it. And is it really anyone else’s business who anyone sleeps with as long it is not your significant other?
The Collins announcement does raise an issue that takes this full circle. ESPN’s Chris Broussard is not down with Collins coming out as gay and does not think it is a good fit in the NBA. “I am a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality,” Broussard said. “I think it is a sin, as I think (sex) outside of marriage between a man and a woman is. If you are openly living an unrepentant sin, that’s walking in open rebellion to God and Jesus Christ.”
While I am in no way in agreement with Broussard, who has elected to play the “God” card here, I only hope he understands that he gets the same respect and understanding for his opinion as Jason Collins does. Broussard must have a hard time covering a sport that violates many of his so-called “Christian” beliefs, as more than one hooper – some of whom he has covered and maybe even worked with – has had an extramarital tryst. I wonder if he shares those opinions with those individuals too, or is this “let’s go after the gay guy because this is what God wants”?
When someone uses their religious beliefs to put down someone else’s way of life when it harms no one, you have to wonder. There are some who will agree with Broussard, and as such deny a gay person the same rights as a human being that they enjoy themselves.
It is the right of Chris Broussard and Jason Collins to express themselves in a manner that they are comfortable with. Both opinions should be respected. For one to frown upon the other does no one any good here. They both have lives to live.
For Broussard to have a problem with who Collins loves and sleeps with is unfortunate, because he may be missing out on what the world is all about. With that said, I respect his right to say it. I only wish he understood that this is 2013 and gay people can have a seat in heaven too. It would be fitting that one be seated next to Broussard.
Chris Broussard is an excellent reporter, by the way. Few cover the NBA better. I have come to truly respect his work when he limits his comments to the game.
The next question: is what will become of Jason Collins? While he is an unrestricted free agent and is on the other side of what has been an unremarkable career, one would hope he can continue his career because he can still contribute, and not because he is the “gay guy” and it’s a nice story. It is also my hope that, while there has been a lot of vocal support from the NBA and its players, some team will be able to find a spot for him to continue his career should he choose to.
