First athlete to openly come out...

[CardiacKemba]

After reading a poll on ESPN (and the recent comments by a 49ers player), I got to wondering when do people think that a player will finally openly come out in the National sporting spotlight? I'm not personally that way inclined, but nor am I homophobic, and it would be ignorant to believe that there aren't gay athletes in the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and every other major sport. What reaction do you think a player would receive for coming out? How much (if at all) would it affect that player in the locker room?

[outbreak]

Too big a deal at the moment, teams wouldn't want to sign him purely to avoid any potential problems or any locker room tension. Plus they wouldn't want all that media focus on their team. It shouldn't be the big deal it is, but unfourtantly in american team sports it's going to be any issue.
In world pro sports there's been some people. An english cricketer came out but crickets a completely different world/culture to american sports.

[Darius]

Te'o

Honestly I don't think it will be that big of a deal. Younger Americans (Athletes are generally younger) have less and less issue with people being gay.

I'd see it more of a problem at the coaching level... esp in the NFL

[jimmy77x]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1199645/bossssh.gif

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Strong possibility that Te'o is gay.

[O_City_Thunder]

I knew there would be some kind of reference to Chris Bosh before I even opened this thread.

[selrahc]

i think there are not that many gays in professional sports because they are athletes and are stronger and better looking...

gays are usually the ones who cannot get any girls so they go for guys instead...

[niko]

Strong possibility that Te'o is gay.
Why? Stupid, but why gay? He thought he was talking to a girl. What about talking to a girl makes you gay?

[KrizMiz]

Blake Griffin is gay - no doubt! believe it or not!

[chips93]

i think there are not that many gays in professional sports because they are athletes and are stronger and better looking...

gays are usually the ones who cannot get any girls so they go for guys instead...

:hammerhead:

[NA2126]

Didn't Samaki Walker come out of the closet, mid 2000's, and even came on the Oprah Show? I recall there being an incident like this, just not sure if it was him.

[ralph_i_el]

i think there are not that many gays in professional sports because they are athletes and are stronger and better looking...

gays are usually the ones who cannot get any girls so they go for guys instead...

:roll:

[G-train]

Didn't Samaki Walker come out of the closet, mid 2000's, and even came on the Oprah Show? I recall there being an incident like this, just not sure if it was him.

lol no

John Amaechi did though

[bmd]

http://gifs.gifbin.com/032012/1332357015_michael_beasley_accidentally_rubs_antho ny_tollivers_knee.gif

[mjokc]

http://static.everyjoe.com/files/2010/08/richard-jefferson-gay.jpg
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/A61k0n5CYAAOPuh.jpg:large

[WesWelkerACL]

Rudy Gay?

[bmd]

http://famewatcher.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/basketball-so-gay4.jpg

[funnystuff]

i think there are not that many gays in professional sports because they are athletes and are stronger and better looking...

gays are usually the ones who cannot get any girls so they go for guys instead...
You're an idiot.


You cant choose to be gay, you're either born that way or you aren't.

[bmd]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IAPsYFC5liU/Sag_MeeXQsI/AAAAAAAAAqw/o62dKR-6X4A/s400/luke+walton+kiss.jpg

[bmd]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IAPsYFC5liU/Sag_LqOr_LI/AAAAAAAAAqg/Er8ZfXAdXvQ/s400/kobe+kiss.jpg

[bmd]

http://i1.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article683591.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Magic+Johnson+shares+a+kiss+during+the+NBA+match+

[bmd]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/0503/nba_g_kisscam_576.jpg

[bmd]

http://www.calvinshub.com/wp-content/gallery/kobe/50964166.jpg

[bmd]

http://towleroad.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/01/01/lakers1.jpg

[bmd]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/swift_carlos/paukb24-1.jpg

[bmd]

http://shortyandtheboyz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/kobe-gay-232x300.jpg

[SevereUpInHere]

Too big a deal at the moment, teams wouldn't want to sign him purely to avoid any potential problems or any locker room tension. Plus they wouldn't want all that media focus on their team. It shouldn't be the big deal it is, but unfourtantly in american team sports it's going to be any issue.
In world pro sports there's been some people. An english cricketer came out but crickets a completely different world/culture to american sports.

A rugby league player here in Australia came out during his career. This is basically our national league, think NFL. As far as I know there were never any real issues. Bear in mind this is a full contact sport, even more so than NFL, every player tackles and gets tackled.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Roberts_(rugby_league)

[G-train]

A rugby league player here in Australia came out during his career. This is basically our national league, think NFL. As far as I know there were never any real issues. Bear in mind this is a full contact sport, even more so than NFL, every player tackles and gets tackled.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Roberts_(rugby_league)

LOL AFL is the national league. But yes Rugby is popular in 2 states.

[G-train]

You're an idiot.


You cant choose to be gay, you're either born that way or you aren't.

Debateable.

[funnystuff]

If you really do think about it, Kobe could be gay and that Colorado incident could be the perfect cover.

[KyrieTheFuture]

Manti Teo. Seriously though I doubt anyone comes out while playing.

[Rysio]

You're an idiot.


You cant choose to be gay, you're either born that way or you aren't.
gtfo fakkit

[coin24]

Not sure why its an issue. What someone does in the bedroom is there business.
I dont get the whole "openly coming out" bullshit. Its like they have to admit to everyone theyve done the wrong thing in homophobes eyes. Unless OP wants a role model to look up to of the same sexuality?:confusedshrug:

Then again, I dont care much about what athletes do in there private lives. I watch for the game, not the TMZ gossip:facepalm :facepalm

[Mr. Jabbar]

Op is a bosh

[nightprowler10]

Not sure why its an issue. What someone does in the bedroom is there business.
I dont get the whole "openly coming out" bullshit. Its like they have to admit to everyone theyve done the wrong thing in homophobes eyes. Unless OP wants a role model to look up to of the same sexuality?:confusedshrug:

Then again, I dont care much about what athletes do in there private lives. I watch for the game, not the TMZ gossip:facepalm :facepalm
Haha, seriously though, any normal gay person that does come out would probably do so for that very reason.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Strong possibility that Te'o is gay.

Agreed, I didn't think much about the gay theories until recently, but it's the scenario that makes the most sense at this point. Between this other guy being gay, Manti's awkward reaction when asked whether he was gay, and the fact that this guy is now making appearances(most likely covering for Manti, imo) and Manti has not publicly taken any shots at the gay guy. Plus, Manti's numerous contradictions lead me to believe he's still not being forthcoming, and his version of events really doesn't make sense.

[SevereUpInHere]

LOL AFL is the national league. But yes Rugby is popular in 2 states.

You get my gist man, it's the highest national level at that particular sport. Much closer in spirit to NFL too. I'm an AFL fan not an NRL fan too so not going to argue the popularity.

[bdreason]

Why does a player have to "come out" with his sexuality? Maybe we should just assume everyone is homosexual, and make all the heterosexual players "come out"?

I mean, honestly, I don't see why people care who these guys are fukcing in their off-time. I watch them because I love basketball, and they are good at the sport. They can fukc animals in their personal life for all I care.

[outbreak]

You get my gist man, it's the highest national level at that particular sport. Much closer in spirit to NFL too. I'm an AFL fan not an NRL fan too so not going to argue the popularity.

I'm Australian but have never followed rugby and didn't know this story. I still think Australia's a much different culture compared to American sports teams, comming out here would probably help your career with how PC all our public figures and players have to be. Not sure about NRL but in AFL contracts are handled different to the NBA too.
I agree with bdreason it makes no difference if someone is or isn't and there shouldn't be any pressure to come out. The only issue is if players are in an environment where they are forced to hide or act against how they want to which could currently be happening to some players.

[d.bball.guy]

My PC got blue screened while I was searching "chris bosh gay". I think it's a sign. :lol

[Spaulding]

http://fantasyknuckleheads.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Rudy-Gay.jpg
No pun intended.
OMG ITS RUDY GAY! HE IS PROBABLY SUCKING OFF A RAPTOR RIGHT NOW IN MOTER FING TORANTOdrake****you =D

[SevereUpInHere]

I'm Australian but have never followed rugby and didn't know this story. I still think Australia's a much different culture compared to American sports teams, comming out here would probably help your career with how PC all our public figures and players have to be. Not sure about NRL but in AFL contracts are handled different to the NBA too.
I agree with bdreason it makes no difference if someone is or isn't and there shouldn't be any pressure to come out. The only issue is if players are in an environment where they are forced to hide or act against how they want to which could currently be happening to some players.


Not sure on how old you are, but I'm 31, I grew up on the east coast and I remember it was quite a big deal at the time. Agreed on how PC we are, but I think the US is pretty similar too. Remember how much of a big deal it was when Kobe called the ref a f@ggot?

And this?

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/hillad.jpg

[Myth]

I think coming out would make a player popular with fans, but not as much with those few teammates who are prejudice. I feel like we can't be too far away from a pro to come out though. I'm looking forward to it. I just hope it isn't a player I hate, because then if I continue to hate him people will think I'm homophobic.

[kNicKz]

Unless OP wants a role model to look up to of the same sexuality?:confusedshrug:



:roll:

[senelcoolidge]

kobe is currently bi sexual, so does that make him gay?

[no pun intended]

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/biffles-4.gif

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NBA-Biffles-1.gif

http://i.imgur.com/JWyQF.gif

http://i.minus.com/iKH0MnyDFZN9b.gif

http://i.minus.com/ibzL7aK0xECwKu.gif

[SacJB Shady]

I understand that up to 30 percent of guys are gay or bi-sexual. Only about 5 to 8 percent actually come out of the closet. I would probably assume that the numbers for NBA players are less, but then again it might not be that much less.

Still, I think it's very important for gay players to not come out. In fact I think it's selfish because they be doing it for attention. Why would they need to come out? I think it's okay to be gay, but if you're a pro athlete, especially one in locker rooms with teammates and/or playing with other guys, there really is no reason to come out. People may not do anything to you, but it would be extremely uncomfortable.

That's why I say it's cool if you gay, but keep that to yourself. Even though it's not against the law to like men, it is still disgusting. That's just the way it is. The majority of people will find it disgusting. You are there to play ball, not to talk about your sexuality. It's only suicide for a gay man to talk about his personal shit.

We already know so many people are gay. It's cool. We not surprised, to say the least. But please keep that to yourself and play it off like you not gay. It's not that bad to be gay, it's when you impose on us with your personal stuff that's not our business. We don't need to know everything.

[9512]

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/biffles-4.gif

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NBA-Biffles-1.gif

http://i.imgur.com/JWyQF.gif

http://i.minus.com/iKH0MnyDFZN9b.gif

http://i.minus.com/ibzL7aK0xECwKu.gif

:wtf: :roll: :roll:

[PimpinZaZa]

Debateable.

Then Debate it! love to hear it.

[ThaRegul8r]

Not sure why its an issue. What someone does in the bedroom is there business.

I don't understand why this should even be a big deal. I couldn't care less who athletes have sex with in their spare time when they're not on the court (I don't care about anyone's sex life, athlete or not, frankly). That's between them and whomever they're having sex with. If you're not having sex with them and have no desire to have sex with them, then it shouldn't matter.

[Rolando]

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/biffles-4.gif

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NBA-Biffles-1.gif

http://i.imgur.com/JWyQF.gif

http://i.minus.com/iKH0MnyDFZN9b.gif

http://i.minus.com/ibzL7aK0xECwKu.gif

Clearly gay.:applause: :applause:

[Foster5k]

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/biffles-4.gif

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NBA-Biffles-1.gif

http://i.imgur.com/JWyQF.gif

http://i.minus.com/iKH0MnyDFZN9b.gif

http://i.minus.com/ibzL7aK0xECwKu.gif
:oldlol:

If this is not what being gay is, then we need a different definition for being gay. I mean look at this sh!t. Lmao!

And to answer the question..

[miller-time]

I don't know if players would have a problem with it. At least openly. From a PR perspective it would be much better for them to keep their homophobia closeted. Tim Hardaway got in loads of shit for his homophobic comments.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amaechi#Reaction_from_other_players


:oldlol:

If this is not what being gay is, then we need a different definition for being gay. I mean look at this sh!t. Lmao!

And to answer the question..

Nah that's just a bromance.

[d.bball.guy]

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/biffles-4.gif

http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NBA-Biffles-1.gif

http://i.imgur.com/JWyQF.gif

http://i.minus.com/iKH0MnyDFZN9b.gif

http://i.minus.com/ibzL7aK0xECwKu.gif
:roll: :roll: :roll:

Landry Fields is somewhere..out there..lurking..crying