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2KA
Registered User
This is a great feature. Part 2 was yesterday and Part 3 goes today on Sportscentre. Aaron Ward does an awesome job with this piece.
Some of the points they raise sure makes a guy think.
Some of the points they raise sure makes a guy think.
Paddington
Registered User
Hardaway's comments were beyond ignorant but I'm glad he said them because I think they needed to be heard. He isn't the only one who feels that way. I think homosexual athletes will be accepted in time but there is still a whole lot of work to be done so that the amount of homophobic athletes decreases. Having a gay superstar would do wonders as well. It's unfortunate that this has to be a discussion topic but it's great that it is being talked about.
It be good if the faces of leagues came out and supported gay rights.
Lebron
Crosby
Brady, Manning, Rodgers, Brees
Lebron
Crosby
Brady, Manning, Rodgers, Brees
Paddington
Registered User
Artemis
Took the red pill
Per Patrick Burke, every team in the NHL has had a player or players speak in support of You Can Play. YCP also has an official partnership with the NHL.
Not surprising that the NHL is leading the way on this. That Burke got it rolling obviously helped, but even a few years ago an SI poll found the NHL way ahead of the rest of the major sports in saying they'd welcome a gay teammate.
I've only seen part one of Ward's report so far, but it was great. Looking forward to the rest. The TSN web site also has an extended interview with the football player who came out after he retired - forget his name - and it is fantastic.
BlackNgold 84
Known Kellyist
Esera Tuaolo is the player I think you're talking about. You got to feel for the guy, couldn't imagine feeling that alone or thinking about killing myself because you're that distraught. You can tell it still hurts, and will probably never stop hurting him.
Artemis
Took the red pill
EverettMike
FIRE DON SWEENEY INTO THE SUN
No surprise. Canadians are very pleasant, agreeable, kind people.
Well, the ones that don't post on HF.
BOOM!
No, but seriously, hockey players are the ****ing best and I am proud of the league on this front.
BergyDGD
Rock Chalk Jayhawk
I think the reason you don't see more athletes speak out on the issue is because they would rather not cause the distraction. Just look at Chris Kluwe the former punter of the Vikings and the flack he took from coaches for speaking out for same-sex marriage. Jason Collins hasn't been able to get a contract since coming out, then again he's not a very good basketball player.
Donnie Shulzhoffer
Rocket Surgery
Artemis
Took the red pill
Canadians certainly have played a part, but I think the influx of European players has had an influence as well. Diversity doesn't just mean skin color or gender.
And though I'm not a Bettman fan in the least, I'll give him some credit for the NHL being at the forefront on this.
smithformeragent
Moderator
I disagree.
These individuals should take a stand for what they believe in, one side or the other or no side at all.
They should not feel any pressure to take a certain stance in order to tow the company line IMO.
Nor should their super stardom be a factor in terms of whether they decide to take a public stance at all.
BergyDGD
Rock Chalk Jayhawk
I'm not talking about athletes needing to come out because your right it is their right and private business. I was saying many athletes don't speak out on homophobia that exists in sports because it may cause a distraction. By no means are they required to or should have to speak out against homophobia or personal beliefs but a star athlete speaking out against the discrimination would help.
WestCoastBruinsFan
Registered User
I disagree, it would be great if the faces of the league did support gay rights but of course they shouldn't have to. Now if they are on the other side as you say, then I think it would be best if they didn't take a stand.
So you are for free speech if the free speech agrees with you, but not if it doesn't?
That's how it works in our culture today. Preach tolerance, unless they disagree with you, then get really intolerant.
At the end of the day who really cares if someone is gay. How does it effect you? Yes superstars should probably speak up about gay rights. They're made to do other crap and speak on other **** all the time. Why not gay rights?
KuralySnipes
Registered User
Rubber Biscuit
Registered User
PatriceBergeronFan
Registered User
Absolutely. This race to be the most politically correct is garbage in my mind. It's taking over society and half the time I feel the people leading the movement don't even care about the movement itself so much as being at the forefront of something that makes the current society happy; ie, doing it to promote themselves more than the cause.
For the record, I am not against gays or minorities or anything. But these movements always feel stale and I hate the worry about political correctness everywhere -- the army, society, wherever! It should be a genuine thing. Not because 'society' decides that is how it should be, or your team tells you to believe this etc.
PatriceBergeronFan
Registered User
Rubber Biscuit
Registered User
I read the whole thing...
You said they're made to speak about other things, so why not gay rights. I'm saying they shouldn't be made to speak on something they don't agree with.
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