I do understand what Spin and SV are saying but I disagree. I don't care who is gay or straight but it is a relevant act for an 'active' NBA player to admit they are gay. I say 'active' because at 34 as a mediocre NBA player he likely has very little time left in the league. If any. He likely just ruined any chance at furthering his career.

 

We know that there are gay pro athletes but I have always been intrigued by the reaction the day someone comes out. I'd rather see a big name player do it so we can get a true reaction. A guy like Collins will disappear and we'll never see him again. It'd be a whole new ballgame if it was Paul Pierce.

 

I'd dislike him now, just like I will dislike him then.

 

Good for Jason Collins. I'm different than some in here because I do think that this is a big deal. One day, it won't be and that is that day that should be celebrated.

It's whatever, dude likes dudes more than chicks, just one less guy to have to compete with for girls because well I'm often competing with 7 foot NBA guys for females....... Ha seriously though I just hope people aren't stupid about this(they will be).

With Collins I'd say probably not. But what if it was LeBron, Kobe, or Melo? Game changes then...

 

Though I do think him being the first "active" player in one of the three big leagues isn't nothing.

So, it would take a homosexual "superstar" coming out to benefit a bullied youth? I'm not being argumentative, just trying to understand where the benefit is. In my opinion, I can't see any benefit other than adults like us being able to debate it and argue the merit or lack thereof. I see no bravery in his announcement. But seems I may be have a different opinion than some. Maybe it makes him feel like some weight has been lifted off him to just say it. If so, good for him, other than that, I'll continue the stance that it's much ado about nothing.

So, it would take a homosexual "superstar" coming out to benefit a bullied youth? I'm not being argumentative, just trying to understand where the benefit is. In my opinion, I can't see any benefit other than adults like us being able to debate it and argue the merit or lack thereof. I see no bravery in his announcement. But seems I may be have a different opinion than some. Maybe it makes him feel like some weight has been lifted off him to just say it. If so, good for him, other than that, I'll continue the stance that it's much ado about nothing.

 

Remember Joe Shlabotnik from the old Peanuts cartoons? How he was Charlie Brown's favorite player, rather than somebody like Mickey Mantle or Ted Williams? Remember how odd that was?

 

The point: Nobody idolizes the scrubbo. They idolize the star. Gay kids playing sports need somebody to look up to beyond WNBA players and LPGA golfers. That the Big 3 men's pro sports leagues remain so hostile toward homosexuals that those athletes don't want the trouble of being publicly gay ends up leaving gay kids wanting for sports role models.

Will Brinson ‏@WillBrinson 17m

Broussard on OTL: "If you're openly living in unrepentant sin … I believe that's walking an open rebellion to God."

 

Chris Broussard comment. I don't remember Chris being so vocal about Lebron having kids out of wedlock.

 

To be fair was he ever asked a direct question on that issue as he was this issue.

Remember Joe Shlabotnik from the old Peanuts cartoons? How he was Charlie Brown's favorite player, rather than somebody like Mickey Mantle or Ted Williams? Remember how odd that was?

 

The point: Nobody idolizes the scrubbo. They idolize the star. Gay kids playing sports need somebody to look up to beyond WNBA players and LPGA golfers. That the Big 3 men's pro sports leagues remain so hostile toward homosexuals that those athletes don't want the trouble of being publicly gay ends up leaving gay kids wanting for sports role models.

Are the big 3 really that hostile or do they simply not have as many gays "in the closet" as other entertainment venues?

Are the big 3 really that hostile or do they simply not have as many gays "in the closet" as other entertainment venues?

 

The law of averages says there's more than a few in those sports, it's just that the uber-macho locker room environment tends to keep it surpressed. I would have to assume the same applies to hockey.

The law of averages says there's more than a few in those sports, it's just that the uber-macho locker room environment tends to keep it surpressed. I would have to assume the same applies to hockey.

I can't argue that, but sort of wonder if perhaps we make it seem that way. I wonder if our perception is reality.

I can't argue that' date=' but sort of wonder if perhaps we make it seem that way. I wonder if our perception is reality.[/quote']

 

I remember what locker rooms were like in HS, and have seen said environment at the higher levels. Let's just say that maturity is not in abundant supply with a group of top-level male athletes who have been overly coddled their entire lives. They are, after all, playing kids' sports.

 

I think we give pro athletes way more credit than they deserve by thinking their work environment is somehow going to be exactly like the rest of ours, and that they are going to act like a gay co-worker is "no big deal." Especially since most of us work under sexual harassment policies that keep us in line, and we don't have to shower with our co-workers.

I remember what locker rooms were like in HS, and have seen said environment at the higher levels. Let's just say that maturity is not in abundant supply with a group of top-level male athletes who have been overly coddled their entire lives. They are, after all, playing kids' sports.

 

I think we give pro athletes way more credit than they deserve by thinking their work environment is somehow going to be exactly like the rest of ours, and that they are going to act like a gay co-worker is "no big deal." Especially since most of us work under sexual harassment policies that keep us in line, and we don't have to shower with our co-workers.

You are likely right. However, I'm still not buying that Collins was trying to break new ground for the greater good of mankind with his announcement. He's a trivia question/answer now. No more, no less, IMO.

The law of averages says there's more than a few in those sports, it's just that the uber-macho locker room environment tends to keep it surpressed. I would have to assume the same applies to hockey.

 

I can agree with the fact the macho environment of locker room isn't exactly friendly to homosexuals . That is part of the reason I've always believed that the number of homosexuals by percentage is much lower than the general population. Hard to hide it and may not be worth the struggle to most homosexuals. A lot probably quit on high school level due to scrutiny .

 

I'd like to think I would of acted in a mature manner. But who knows how I would of reacted as a dumb immature high school basketball player . Locker room in HS isn't exactly PC. I'd venture to say its not much different on college and proffesional level.

 

I do think those who call for acceptance of coming out also need to accept religious point of views. I personally am not as relgious as I probably should be , but I do respect peoples relgious customs and beliefs . I grow tired of calls for acceptance and then the same people label anyone with a different opinion or idea a bigot or a homophobe

I'm glad the guy can finally live his lifestyle in public but I don't think it's going to open the floodgates. He's no Gareth Thomas.

Read where White House backs and supports decision.

 

They didn't mention this could have been Obamas kid.

I do understand what Spin and SV are saying but I disagree. I don't care who is gay or straight but it is a relevant act for an 'active' NBA player to admit they are gay. I say 'active' because at 34 as a mediocre NBA player he likely has very little time left in the league. If any. He likely just ruined any chance at furthering his career.

 

Or was his ho hum mediocre career already just about to fizzle out because he's just not all that, and now he can blame it on his sexual orientation annoucement?

Shouldn't be an issue in this day and age.

 

So then why a big announcement?