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Jason Collins (Wizards) first active, major-sport athlete to come out

  • Heretic
    Fab4Runner;1435632 wrote:To whom?
    I think that is meaningful as far as the distinction between a current name who is openly gay and on a team (as in a guy who'll be in the locker room with the rest of the [likely] straight players, so there's the opportunity to see if he's accepted the same) and a guy who is at the end of his career.

    Looking him up online, he's 34 years old and averaged 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in roughly 10 minutes per game over about 40 games between two teams. The main future "gays in sports" thing that will come out of this is people trying to guess whether him coming out is why he's not on a roster next year...or if it's just the fact he's old and, at best, the sort of cheap ring-chasing bench veteran the Heat scoop up to play a few minutes around their main guys.

    I just think that as far as the points made by Justin and CoA about how it'll be nice when things like this aren't news due to acceptance, it'd be a bigger step as far as that goes if it was a player who we'd expect to be on an NBA roster in the foreseeable future. As it is now, I'm not sure how much different this is than a guy officially coming out after retiring. I think the big issue with gays in sports is the worries about acceptance along the lines of sharing the locker room and other day-to-day teammate sort of things; so if he's no longer going to be part of that, I don't know how much, if anything, this will affect.
  • Fab4Runner
    Pick6;1435637 wrote:Me, everybody. Its still meaningful, Im just saying I dont think it is near as big as it could be.
    I think the meaning is the same. Jason Collins coming out has the same meaning as any other person coming out. It is a personal choice, and I can assure that it means a lot to a lot of people.

    The attention it will receive is a different story. That said, it's clearly still a big deal, as I am seeing it discussed everywhere. It is a worldwide trending topic on Twitter and it's already a popular topic on this very board.
  • Sonofanump
    I thought Kordell Stewart was the first?
  • Commander of Awesome
    Sonofanump;1435651 wrote:I thought Kordell Stewart was the first?
    lol'd

    What about former Cavs player, Jon Amaechi?
  • Fab4Runner
    Heretic;1435648 wrote:I think that is meaningful as far as the distinction between a current name who is openly gay and on a team (as in a guy who'll be in the locker room with the rest of the [likely] straight players, so there's the opportunity to see if he's accepted the same) and a guy who is at the end of his career.

    Looking him up online, he's 34 years old and averaged 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in roughly 10 minutes per game over about 40 games between two teams. The main future "gays in sports" thing that will come out of this is people trying to guess whether him coming out is why he's not on a roster next year...or if it's just the fact he's old and, at best, the sort of cheap ring-chasing bench veteran the Heat scoop up to play a few minutes around their main guys.

    I just think that as far as the points made by Justin and CoA about how it'll be nice when things like this aren't news due to acceptance, it'd be a bigger step as far as that goes if it was a player who we'd expect to be on an NBA roster in the foreseeable future. As it is now, I'm not sure how much different this is than a guy officially coming out after retiring. I think the big issue with gays in sports is the worries about acceptance along the lines of sharing the locker room and other day-to-day teammate sort of things; so if he's no longer going to be part of that, I don't know how much, if anything, this will affect.
    I understand all of that, and it does make sense, but as far as I can tell he isn't actually ready to retire. There is a chance he could be on a team next season. I also think there is the opportunity for his former teammates to reiterate the fact that he was always professional in the locker room. As he stated, he has been on numerous teams, has had many coaches and has been around countless other players in the locker room.
  • GoChiefs
    vball10set;1435645 wrote:I have a feeling you won't have to wait long.

    I have a feeling we are still a long ways away from that happening, unfortunately.
  • Dr Winston O'Boogie
    I don't know anything about this guy, but commend him on this. Hopefully this begins to destigmatize this issue in pro sports so that we never have to hear about it. Someone's private life shouldn't matter if they're an athlete. Unfortunately, it will take a few of these and all the media circus around them to get over the hump and call this type of thing "old news". Anyway, glad the dam is broken.
  • DeyDurkie5
    Pick6;1435637 wrote:Me, everybody. Its still meaningful, Im just saying I dont think it is near as big as it could be.
    It's not about the media when it comes to this, it's the fact people have to hide the fact they are gay because they don't want their team to know. It's all about them, and the league they are in. Who the fuck cares if it's "not a well known player"..what logic is that?
  • Midstate01
    Jason Collins? Never heard of him. What position is he best at? Does he like to penetrate? How are his ball skills?


    In all honesty, good for him. Cant imagine living my life hiding something so major for a long time.
  • Manhattan Buckeye
    Well, it isn't the first. Everyone knew Kwame Harris was gay back in '03. Very good physical talent at Stanford and on the college level, didn't really adjust to NFL speed.
  • Pick6
    DeyDurkie5;1435677 wrote:It's not about the media when it comes to this, it's the fact people have to hide the fact they are gay because they don't want their team to know. It's all about them, and the league they are in. Who the fuck cares if it's "not a well known player"..what logic is that?
    He isnt on a team and his career is likely over is my main point. There have been guys who have came out after they were done with their career, which is what I relate this to. If he doesnt get signed, you will hear all about "because he is gay", when in reality it will be because he isnt good enough.

    I couldnt care less if he is gay or not. Im just saying that I dont see it as a giant break-through like it is being touted to be. I dont see whats so hard to understand about my statement.
  • OSH
    I just get tired of this homosexual praise.

    Why can't we just play ball? Why does everything have to be about sexual orientation? Why do they consistently get praise and that's all the talk? Who cares? If it's really a big deal that someone is homosexual, then it shouldn't be making headlines.

    Statistics show that less than 1% of the American population is homosexual. Why should it be that big of a deal when an athlete comes out? It's not like there should be hundreds playing professional sports. I liken this to the whole minority coaching talk that often comes around. Why should there be 20, 30, 40 percent of a specific sport be coached by an African American? The African American population is around 13%. So, for example, the NFL has 32 teams and a proper breakdown is 4 African American coaches (or 4.16 to be exact). There are currently 6 in the NFL (I believe). Not that it is a problem, but why is there such a push to get more? Same goes for any other sport and at any other level.

    So, if there is less than 1% of the American population is homosexual, there are 30 teams in the NBA, with each team having 13 (maximum active roster), then that means there are 390 NBA players. Is it really necessary to identify the 3.9 homosexuals in the NBA? Do we really need to know who is screwing who? Why can't the bedroom stuff stay there?
  • chicago510


    Check out this hypocrisy between her bio and her tweets. Just one example.
  • Fly4Fun
    OSH;1435778 wrote:I just get tired of this homosexual praise.

    Why can't we just play ball? Why does everything have to be about sexual orientation? Why do they consistently get praise and that's all the talk? Who cares? If it's really a big deal that someone is homosexual, then it shouldn't be making headlines.

    Statistics show that less than 1% of the American population is homosexual. Why should it be that big of a deal when an athlete comes out? It's not like there should be hundreds playing professional sports. I liken this to the whole minority coaching talk that often comes around. Why should there be 20, 30, 40 percent of a specific sport be coached by an African American? The African American population is around 13%. So, for example, the NFL has 32 teams and a proper breakdown is 4 African American coaches (or 4.16 to be exact). There are currently 6 in the NFL (I believe). Not that it is a problem, but why is there such a push to get more? Same goes for any other sport and at any other level.

    So, if there is less than 1% of the American population is homosexual, there are 30 teams in the NBA, with each team having 13 (maximum active roster), then that means there are 390 NBA players. Is it really necessary to identify the 3.9 homosexuals in the NBA? Do we really need to know who is screwing who? Why can't the bedroom stuff stay there?
    Not sure anyone is "praising" him because he is gay. People are saying he has courage for coming out in a team sport that typically has lots of machismo. It's not about that individual, but about that individual hopefully showing others that it is okay. It's about him being a role model to those who struggle with their sexuality and are still told in many instances that homosexuality is bad (not as common as it used to be, but still there).
  • vball10set
    chicago510;1435780 wrote:

    Check out this hypocrisy between her bio and her tweets. Just one example.
    What would you expect from Justin's sister? :p
  • Terry_Tate
    justincredible;1435584 wrote:Agreed. I look forward to the day that this isn't news.
    Indeed.

    I heard about it today and thought, "Who cares?" I don't think any different of him at all, he's just a basketball player. Sad that people get so upset about something like that. I just had a cousin that is 14 say he is gay and his Mom basically told him no he's not, that it's just a phase, and so he moved to live with his Dad because his Mom and step-Dad wouldn't let him do gymnastics because it's not manly. Just makes me SMH. I am against homosexuality because of my Christian faith but will never think less of anyone because they're gay or treat them any differently. They deserve to have a normal life like anyone else.
  • Mohican00
    chicago510;1435780 wrote:

    Check out this hypocrisy between her bio and her tweets. Just one example.
    yeah, I don't think he has any children
  • vball10set
    I didn't choose to be straight, I just am. Those who are gay don't choose to be homosexual, they just are. I know society as a whole isn't ready to look at it that way, but quite frankly, that's how I feel.
  • wildcats20
    vball10set;1435800 wrote:I didn't choose to be straight, I just am. Those who are gay don't choose to be homosexual, they just are. I know society as a whole isn't ready to look at it that way, but quite frankly, that's how I feel.

    Reps when I can.
  • GoChiefs
    vball10set;1435800 wrote:I didn't choose to be straight, I just am.

    I don't buy it. :D
  • justincredible
    chicago510;1435780 wrote:

    Check out this hypocrisy between her bio and her tweets. Just one example.

    What a ****.
  • justincredible
    vball10set;1435800 wrote:I didn't choose to be straight, I just am. Those who are gay don't choose to be homosexual, they just are. I know society as a whole isn't ready to look at it that way, but quite frankly, that's how I feel.

    Word.
  • cat_lover
    vball10set;1435800 wrote:I didn't choose to be straight, I just am. Those who are gay don't choose to be homosexual, they just are. I know society as a whole isn't ready to look at it that way, but quite frankly, that's how I feel.
    Sums up my feelings as well.
  • Ironman92
    Commander of Awesome;1435625 wrote:Typical Steeler scumbag. Glad Cleveland didn't sign him, and can't wait for Haden to hopefully pwn him opening game.

    Not a Steeler. Browns have former players that are dumbasses as well.

    It was pretty obvious this guy was an idiot before he tweeted and proved it.
  • Classyposter58
    Of course it's not a choice. I mean it's unnormal to like the similar sex, as nature's main goal is to survive and breed. Essentially gays are going against one of the main laws of nature by liking what they do, and that is not a choice