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SALT LAKE CITY — This past Monday will go down as a significant day in American sports history, the day a current male athlete in a major U.S. professional sport was basically hailed as a hero for acknowledging that he is a homosexual.
In a story that got maximum publicity (its release was, the first work day after the NFL Draft and before the NBA playoffs get serious), NBA player Jason Collins used Sports Illustrated as the vehicle to announce his sexuality. One year ago, he broke the news to his family, which includes former Jazz center and twin brother Jarron Collins.
Reflecting the values of many, plaudits poured in, with President Obama and former President Clinton among those expressing appreciation for his courage. For the rest of his life, Collins will be known far more for his historic announcement than his averages of 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds over 12 NBA seasons.
At best, athletically Collins was a journeyman who managed to make the rosters of six teams. Socially speaking, he goes down as a pioneer.
"Seemingly, the entire country rallied to support this run-of-the-mill basketball player. Heaven help those who didn't rejoice in the moment."
As an example of Collins’ bravery, some invoked comparison to legendary Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Along those lines, the Boston Red Sox quickly invited Collins to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a home game.
Seemingly, the entire country rallied to support this run-of-the-mill basketball player. Heaven help those who didn’t rejoice in the moment.
Some of the responses were outlandish, as with the case of Miami Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace, who tweeted: “All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH (shake my head).”
After being criticized as homophobic, Wallace then wrote: “Never said anything was right or wrong I just said I don’t understand!!! Deeply sorry for anyone that I offended.”
Some were more thought out, as with Chris Broussard. The former New York Times writer and current ESPN reporter’s reaction wasn’t completely favorable.
On Outside the Lines, he said the following:
“Personally, I don't believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly premarital sex between heterosexuals, if you're openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that's a sin. If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be, I believe that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ. I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I do not think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian."
You can guess the fallout that followed. Neither a sitting or former president commended Broussard on his views.
"Collins and all gay people should be free to live as they choose without discrimination. The religious types like Broussard, should be able to responsibly voice their opinions, as long as the talk doesn't turn into actions of hate."
In his “Sports Don’t Lie” blog on Yahoo, Kelly Dwyer appealed to the emotions of heterosexuals by writing: “Be reminded of the fact that if you had sex before marriage, or have had sex and are not married, Chris Broussard thinks that you are a sinner that is in defiance of God, and he used the pulpit of a sports talk show to remind you of such. Do you like him saying those sorts of things about you?”
For speaking his mind, one person is labeled a hero. It doesn’t always go both ways.
On Twitter, national columnist Jason Whitlock wrote: “My religious beliefs are my personal feelings between me and God. The Bible was used as justification to keep black people enslaved. So I really don't want to hear people's religious objections about homosexuality. Keep 'em between you and your God.”
Tolerance is an interesting concept. Sinners and saints abound, with no shortage of finger pointing from every angle.
In the final analysis, Collins and all gay people should be free to live as they choose without discrimination. The religious types like Broussard, who deserves credit for willing to stick his neck out in such a public forum, should be able to responsibly voice their opinions, as long as the talk doesn’t turn into actions of hate.
