Thank You #98

By now, everyone has heard that, in moving personal essay in Sports Illustrated, Jason Collins became the first male active player in a major team sport in the United States to come out as gay. That may seem like a lot of qualifiers, but this is a big fucking deal. Like most people, I had never heard of Jason Collins before today. In fact, I'm not sure I'd heard of the Washington Wizards, the NBA he played for last year. Seriously, while I've never been a fan of professional basketball, I do think I have fairly good general sports knowledge, but I don't think I could have told you what the name of the DC NBA team was yesterday. So, obviously take all my thoughts on this with a huge grain of salt, but I do have a few things to say.

First, it may sound odd, but I was really glad when I found out Jason Collins is black--but I was having trouble articulating (even just to myself) why. Fortunately, Rob Smith explains "Why the race of NBA’s first openly gay player matters just as much as his sexual orientation":

...The color of the face attached to the cover story of Sports Illustrated — and the photos that will be shown on ESPN and CNN and every major media news outlet in the world — isn’t just important, it’s revolutionary. I would argue that Collins’ coming out will do more to advance the LGBT conversation within the black community than even President Obama’s embrace of gay marriage. ...Now, when an 18-year-old black boy is thinking about coming out and looking for someone in the popular culture who looks like him — he’s certainly going to find him. Jason Collins may not have been around when I was 18. But that doesn’t diminish the pride I feel as a 30-year-old man watching him come out now, and I can only imagine how many people who look just like us are feeling the same thing.

Sadly, I was disappointed in ESPN for how it handled the story. First, the story was one of the lead stories on every newscast today (and not just the sports news, but the national news), but ESPN buried it. Then, this happened:

To be fair, ESPN has been pretty good on LGBT issues before (and even showed a pro-bowler kissing his partner after a big win), but this was just stupid of them. Fortunately, Jason Collins is not just a practicing Christian, but apparently a very well-read and smart one. If and when he wants, I'm sure he'll be able to rip bigots like Chris Broussard to shreds if they try to use the bible to condemn homosexuality.

Happily, Chris Broussard was one of the few haters out there today. Twitter was a real love fest for Collins--with everyone from Kobe Bryant to Michelle Obama to Neil Patrick Harris tweeting their support. I'm just pissed that the Boston Red Sox tweeted this:

We salute you, @jasoncollins34 for your courage and leadership. Any time you want to throw out a first pitch at Fenway Park, let us know.
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) April 29, 2013

How am I supposed to hate the Red Sox (as I do) if they keep being so good on LGBT issues?

More important that what the Twitterverse or sportscasters or anyone else thinks or says, I have been incredibly impressed by Jason Collins. Really, go read his coming out essay and also the excellent behind-the-scenes story by Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim. It's impossible not to come away from them without agreeing with former NBA player and current gay, John Amaechi:

Congratulations to Jason - society couldn't hope for a more eloquent & positive role model: buff.ly/10OvOMd
— John Amaechi OBE (@JohnAmaechi) April 29, 2013

What really sealed the deal for me was I read this passage in Collins essay:

My one small gesture of solidarity was to wear jersey number 98 with the Celtics and then the Wizards. The number has great significance to the gay community. One of the most notorious antigay hate crimes occurred in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was kidnapped, tortured and lashed to a prairie fence. He died five days after he was finally found. That same year the Trevor Project was founded. This amazing organization provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention to kids struggling with their sexual identity. Trust me, I know that struggle. I've struggled with some insane logic. When I put on my jersey I was making a statement to myself, my family and my friends.

Matthew Shepard's parents are touched by Collins tribute to their son:

"It made me cry," Judy Shepard told FOXSports.com during an interview Monday afternoon. "It was really quite a tribute, and I was very honored. And I know Matt would be thrilled." And the Shepards hope, someday, to be able to thank Collins personally for his bravery in opening himself up to the world and honoring their son’s name in the process. "I would really love to speak to him, because I know Judy and I would just like to thank him," Dennis Shepard said. "Because, No. 1, he had the courage to come out, period, and No. 2 that he wore 98 in honor of Matt, the year that he died. ...[Collins] couldn’t have been that old (when it happened), so it must have had a tremendous impact on him, the story behind Matt, for him to want to do that. And then to wear it all this time without telling people why until today, that’s incredible."

So, Congratulations and Thank You, Jason Collins! I'm still not going to watch professional basketball, but if there's any other way that I could support you, please let me know.

**********************************

I have few things to add to my original post--specifically, an apology, a response to a legit criticism of the news and a new video.

An apology

I can't believe I didn't mention or link to Outsports in my original post. Cyd Zeigler and Jim Buzinski have created a blog that is indeed "the galactic leader in gay sports" news. Of course, they have lots of posts about the Collins story, including Zeigler's nice personal reflections:

...Mostly, I thought about the kids. I was one of those once. I grew up in a basketball household on a healthy diet of Celtics-Lakers championship series. My dad was a local hero, able to hit his elbow on the rim at a time when dunking was against the rules. I was supposed to follow in his footsteps, but on the first day of basketball tryouts in junior high school, I had an all-consuming feeling that I just didn't belong. There's no doubt in my mind that being gay, just struggling with my sexuality and being teased for it by the other boys, kept me off the basketball court. Like many LGBT youth, I opted for individual sports -- track & field and cross-country -- instead.

Thanks to Collins, the young ones in Pee-Wee football today won't know a world without an openly gay male pro athlete. The teens in youth basketball, just starting to understand their own sexuality, will forever have someone to look up to, someone who looks like them. The young gay men playing college baseball today got a shot in the arm: They now know the sports world is ready for them.

 Really, go read the whole thing.

A response to a legit criticism of the news

The title of Kate Sheppard's Mother Jones piece sums it up: "Jason Collins Is Not The First Out Gay Pro Athlete". As I said at the beginning of this post, telling Jason Collins story requires a lot of qualifiers. I went with the unwieldy "Jason Collins became the first male active player in a major team sport in the United States to come out as gay."--yikes, that's too much for a headline. Sheppard rightly points out that many women have come out during their careers, and that their have also been openly gay male athletes outside of "the big four" of the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB. In particular, Martina Navratilova seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. Thankfully, she is not shy about reminding the media that she came out as a lesbian at the height of her tennis career in 1981.

Well done Jason Collins- you are a brave man. And a big man at that:) 1981 was the year for me- 2013 is the year for you:)
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 29, 2013

I think the criticism of the media is completely fair. Fortunately, today they are beginning to fill in the gaps. I hope the Jason Collins story spurs a discussion of not just homophobia but also larger gender issues in professional sports including the sexism of sports journalism. I also think it's important to note that Jason Collins has been very gracious in acknowledging everyone who came before him and made his announcement possible, saying simply, "The words thank you are not enough." Which lead me to...

A video...
...in which Jason Collins honors his hero Navratilova. He also speaks well on LGBT issues including his connection to the number 98 amazingly well for someone who a) just came out and b) is at the center of a media frenzy right now.

Well done, sir. Now, I will try to watch at least one of your games next year. NBA execs take note, Collins is a free agent and whichever team signs him will quickly expand their fan base--seriously, as a pure business decision, it makes sense. The gays are very brand loyal to LGBT friendly businesses.

Go Get 'Em, Tiger!

So, Justin Verlander was asked how he'd feel about having a gay teammate. He said he'd be cool with it.


(The "gay question" comes around the 1:50 mark.)

Justin Verlander was on my fantasy baseball team and he was also on my fantasy baseball team, so it's nice to know he's down with the gays. Still, I think it's hilarious that in the wake of the Big Gay Super Bowl, every professional athlete is apparently going to be asked about having teammate who's a little light in the cleats. While I don't usually like to compete in the Oppression Olympics and compare homophobia to racism, in this case I think it is instructive to think how ridiculous it would be for a reporter to ask an athlete if they would be okay playing with a black teammate.

While "researching" this post, I found my new favorite tumblr: justin verlander's butt.

You're welcome.

Big Gay Super Bowl Postscript

This was supposed to be the Big Gay Super Bowl, and it didn't disappoint. Here are the top four highlights of the night.

1. Culliverfreude
First, this happened to #29 Chris Culliver:

Then, Chris Culliver had a very bad night on Twitter. The "Culliver #ItGetsBetter" thread was my favorite.

2. Beyoncé Is Fierce
Mrs. Carter's whole show was amazing right from the beginning.

There was a lot of talk about whether or not Mr.Beyoncé would be in the show, but there was a much better surprise: Destiny's Child.

PERFECTION!

This picture (via Lady Bunny) explains exactly how the gays felt about the halftime show:

3. This Happened
A million THANKS to Deadspin for sharing this truly mesmorizing moment.

4. Athlete Ally Brandon Ayanbadejo Gets To Put A Ring On It

On Facebook, Ayanbadejo posted this great pic himself kissing the Vince Lombardi trophy with the message: "WORLD CHAMPIONS I love my team, I love city, and I love MD for all that you do to show the world love conquers all!!"

All in all, it was a very good Super Bowl for the gays.

The Big Gay Super Bowl

Brendon Ayanbadejo for the NOH8 Campaign

I've been totally scooped on the whole blogging about football with a gay twist schtick. Who knew this year's Super Bowl would be all homo-a-go-go? Here's a quick (and very incomplete) run down.

It all started with Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens who has been a big advocate of LGBT rights especially during the past election when Maryland had a Marriage Equality initiative on the ballot. Frank Bruni, the New York Times resident gay, wrote about Ayanbadejo "Carrying a Cause to the Super Bowl" (link behind NYT paywall). Then, everyone from the Huffington Post to Fox News was covering the story.

Then, the homophobia hit the fan. I'm going to steal the always sharp Miz Sarah B's Facebook far better recap than I could write. (To pretend that I'm actually blogging this part, I'll add links and pictures).

So let's recap this 49er crap:

1. Chris Culliver says, "We ain't got no gay people on the team… They gotta get up out here if they do. Can't be with that sweet stuff. ... Nah, can't be ... in the locker room, man."

Confidential to Chris Culliver: If you are worried about gays looking at you in the locker room, perhaps you should not post selfies like this on the Internet.

2. He is at least the mouth-piece for an apology I cannot even unravel: "The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel."

3. Ahmad Brooks and Isaac Sopoaga deny their involvement with "It Gets Better" (anti-bullying video campaign).

4. They are shown their own video. (Which was made super publicly a couple years ago ... after a move.org campaign to get them follow the lead of the Giants, and is still easily found on youtube, even after It Gets Better founder Dan Savage takes it down from the It Gets Better website.)

5. These players then claim ignorance of the ad's intentions and refuse to comment further, ultimately suggesting that they are NOT against bullying. Nicely played.  

Fuck you. YOU'RE COOL. Fuck you.

6. Donte Whitner, also in the ad, and openly down for everyone to get to be themselves, points out he does not share Chris Culliver's homophobic sentiments.   

7. All sorts of 49er fans choose to lay aside the chasm between what we say are our values and what is happening right in front of us just in time for Super Bowl Sunday: "San Francisco 49ers Chris Culliver will begin sensitivity training and education immediately after the Super Bowl following his anti-gay remarks this week, then start volunteer work with at-risk homosexual youth nationwide. Culliver is scheduled to begin working with "The Trevor Project," an organization that provides crisis and suicide intervention to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, according to his public relations representative, Theodore Palmer."  

8. My muscles are taut from all the eye-rolling my face has been practicing this week.

Thanks for the round-up of the cray, Sarah! Now, I'm back.

This whole brouhaha exploded on the Interwebs--and not just on little blogs like mine but notably on big mainstream sites. In fact, Cyd Zeigler at Outsports wrote a post titled "Thank You Chris Culliver for speaking your homophobia out loud" saying the silver lining of all this was that Culliver has brought mainstream attention to homophobia in football (go read the whole thing). Here are some highlights:

• ESPN: Chris Culliver backpedals: Comments, apology, lack of understanding, even as others fight discrimination
• The Nation: Is It Getting Better? Homophobia Rocks The Super Bowl
• Salon: How did the Super Bowl land on the front lines of the culture war?
• The Pioneer Press: Vikings' Chris Kluwe wants Chris Culliver to get a gay rights education
• The Atlantic: How Chris Culliver's Anti-Gay Comments Actually Started a Dialogue in the NFL
• My San Antonio (Dallas Cowboys and the NFL blog): Lombardi would have frowned on Culliver’s homophobic remarks

Then to top it all off, Beyoncé is headlining the halftime. Gawker is saying will be even gayer than last year's show with Madonna. This leads to the biggest gay question about Super Bowl XLVII: Will Beyoncé go with straight hair...

...or wavy...

  

 ...or curly?

Of course, I'm hoping for the most unlikely option: the full-on Foxy Cleopatra.

To sum it up: GO RAVENS!

PS: In the end, it doesn't really matter what any of think about the teams in the Super Bowl, who we want to win, or who we predict will win. 27% of Americans know the truth: God is going to pick the winning team based on their holiness. 

Lance Armstrong's Next Big Confession?

So, Fucking Lance Armstrong told Oprah that his "perfect story" was "one big lie". All the media is focusing on his lies about doping, and then his lies about lying about doping. However, drug allegations weren't the only rumors about Lance during the height of his career. There was much internet speculation that perhaps the "b" should be dropped when people talked about his "bromance" with Matthew McConaughey.

 

The pictures of them exercising shirtless together started the stories that they were more than "work out buddies" (because everyone knows that jogging on the beach is foreplay for the gays).

There were even rumors of a big gay ménage à trois between Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey, and Jake Gyllenhaal because the three of them shockingly, publicly bicycled together and were also seen together at a LIVESTRONG event.

Of course, Armstrong and McConaughey denied that they were homosexual lovers. Armstrong said they were just "buds" who took "guy trips" and it was all "something very normal"--but how can we believe that they were "just friends" given Armstrong's incredible history of lying? In short, is Lance Armstrong about to pull a Jodie Foster?

Four Truly Inspirational Sports Stories

Ugh. Fucking Lance Armstrong is all over the news today and not just the sports news and ESPN. Thanks to his Oprah interview, he's on all the news. I can't even watch E! News without seeing his lying, cheating, sorry self. On days like today, it's easy to get cynical about sports and especially the idea of sports heroes, so it's good to look at some people who demonstrate the best of what sports can be.

The most impressive football stats of 2012 were not put up by anyone in the NFL, but by little league football player, nine-year-old Samantha Gordon. In 232 carries, she rang up 1,911 yards and 35 touchdowns, and, oh yeah, she also kicks but on defense with 65 tackles for the season. Not that it really matters, but she did all this as one of the only girls in her league and the only one who played offense. Samantha's highlight reel went viral, and she got a Wheaties Box with her face on the cover. On top of all that, she gives a better interview than most adult athletes.



12-year-old Justin Kievet lost his wrestling match against classmate Jared Stevens, but his loss was the greatest display of sportsmanship in 2012.




Sport Illustrated Kids named Conner and Cayden Long "2012 SportsKids of the Year".

Not only did their story make LeBron James tear up a little--he was actually humbled to share a stage with them. James said that Conner and Cayden were not just the SportsKids of the Year, but that they were the SportsMEN of the year. Watch their beautful story: