The Inside Story of How the NFL's Plan for Its 1st Openly Gay Player Fell Apart

[woodbuck27]

If it's a starter signed to a moderate extension we are a likely place to be. If it's a recentl signed FA the first won't be in GB

Woody that is a pretty modern opinion for such an old fart!

Then in your opinion the Packers wouldn't go after S Kerry Rhodes (who's not seemingly admitting to being GAY) or any GAY that might wish to come out of the closet.

[Upnorth]

IMO the packers won't go for almost any FA. However an openly gay FA may go cheaper so on second thought maybe we are in the running.

[woodbuck27]

IMO the packers won't go for almost any FA. However an openly gay FA may go cheaper so on second thought maybe we are in the running.

I wish we had him and in proper condition and ready to go this weekend.

[SMBASS]

So hoop dee do. If a player can play NFL caliber football, he's on the team, no problem. What he does in his private life is his business. I'm sick and tired of all the PC jackasses looking to cause a disruption to promote their agenda. It's football. I don't want to have social issues injected into my entertainment.

+1 Don't really give a shit one way or the other what anyone does in their private life. Just tired of everyone making it an issue and having it shoved in my face 24/7. Does every player need to have a, "coming out" press conference so that they can declare their sexual preference regardless of what it is. Maybe all the future draft picks should have a stat line next to their 40 times, height, weight, etc., that lists their sexual orientation. Different designations for homo, hetero, bi, polygamist, sheep f'rs, etc.. Just STFU about it already.

[Guiness]

+1 Don't really give a shit one way or the other what anyone does in their private life. Just tired of everyone making it an issue and having it shoved in my face 24/7. Does every player need to have a, "coming out" press conference so that they can declare their sexual preference regardless of what it is. Maybe all the future draft picks should have a stat line next to their 40 times, height, weight, etc., that lists their sexual orientation. Different designations for homo, hetero, bi, polygamist, sheep f'rs, etc.. Just STFU about it already.

That is my general feeling as well, but there's a problem here - 2000 players in the NFL, and not one admitting to being gay, so obviously people associated with the NFL DO give a shit or it just would've happened. It is being prevented, the STFU doesn't work..."don't ask, don't tell" was a GD disaster.

[pbmax]

The error they are making is waiting until they are FAs to come out. A starter who recently signed a moderate extension should be the first to do it, and without great fanfare. Teams are full of those kinds of players, and I suspect some are gay.

There is certainly logic to that approach from a financial aspect in the immediate term. But I doubt the player sees it that way. I think they view coming out as a risk, to both the current and future contracts. To them it would also be a risk with teammates and coaches to drop that after signing. I suspect some teams in the article passed on the entire possibility just to avoid the issue. To have it dropped in their lap after a signing likely will not go over well. Some will see the logic, others will see duplicity.

I think the likeliest candidates will be older and wanting to start afresh, on honest terms, with a new deal (probably what they view as the last deal) so there is no surprise and some announced support from within the organization.

[channtheman]

I really want things like this to just not matter. I'm not in favor of or opposed to gay players, I just don't care. I feel a bit sorry for the actual gay players who have not come out for their own reasons when there is an implied under current that they aren't brave enough. Making it a big deal will make it harder for it to happen.
Why do we care about this crap?

I agree with this wholeheartedly. Those opposed and those for are the ones that have to make everything such a big fucking deal. I don't care if you're gay, black, white, yellow, straight. I just don't care. I just want to watch football in peace and eat a fucking chicken sandwich without being told I'm against gays cause I'm eating it.

[woodbuck27]

If it's a starter signed to a moderate extension we are a likely place to be. If it's a recentl signed FA the first won't be in GB

Woody that is a pretty modern opinion for such an old fart!

" Woody that is a pretty modern opinion for such an old fart! " Upnorth

Upon examination I feel I've been complimented. Thanks Upnorth.

I was referred back to this thread by Patler RE: Did Rodgers flirt with pro sports immortality last summer? thread started - Dec. 31, 2013.

This thread:

It's a rather calm and open and may I use the word 'liberal' discussion of the matter/topic.

GO PACKERS ....GO PACK GO !

[gbgary]

when a high profile sports journalist has to wait until she's in her 50s to come out it'll be a long time before a football player does...if he intends to keep playing that is.

[MJZiggy]

What needed to happen is that several gay players, as they retired, needed to come out. After that happens a few times, people will start giving that "so what" response and then when someone does come out before he's ready to retire, folks will say that the NFL has had gay players for years. "So what?"

[woodbuck27]

What needed to happen is that several gay players, as they retired, needed to come out. After that happens a few times, people will start giving that "so what" response and then when someone does come out before he's ready to retire, folks will say that the NFL has had gay players for years. "So what?"

You place conditions on this issue based in a timeline!?

Come on MJ... Why are you disappointing me?

How long in your view MJZiggy must we for what has already been won?

You need some help here MJ. Your not getting it.

I'm always here to help.

What needed to happen in terms of your American Constitution:

Is that any gay NFL players shouldn't ever have any problem or issue (with NFL Teams) and with coming out or declaring themselves openly as being sexually Gay.

Why? Because today that shouldn't be an issue. The fact it is defines an American society that needs to be more open minded and intelligent in it's response to 'every person's hard fought Freedom Of Rights'.

[MJZiggy]

You place conditions on this issue based in a timeline. Come on MJ...you disappoint me. How long in your view must we for what has already been won?

No your not getting it MJ.

What needed to happen in terms of your American Constitution:

Is that any gay NFL players shouldn't ever have any problem or issue (with NFL Teams) and with coming out or declaring themselves openly as being sexually Gay.

Why? Because today that shouldn't be an issue. The fact it is defines an American society that needs to be more open minded and intelligent in it's response to 'every person's hard fought Freedom Of Rights'.

Notice the use of the past tense, Woodbuck. Today it shouldn't be an issue. Problem is that if your article is to be believed, right or wrong, it still is.

[woodbuck27]

Notice the use of the past tense, Woodbuck. Today it shouldn't be an issue. Problem is that if your article is to be believed, right or wrong, it still is.

Here is your statement MJZiggy:

" What needed to happen is that several gay players, as they retired, needed to come out. After that happens a few times, people will start giving that "so what" response and then when someone does come out before he's ready to retire, folks will say that the NFL has had gay players for years. "So what?" .. " MJZiggy


Taking this portion of your statement out of the whole:

" What needed to happen is that several gay players, as they retired, needed to come out..... "

I made my repost to you and I stand now on my broader and clearly more accurate view than yours.

You'll get it...when? After you retire?

[gbgary]

You place conditions on this issue based in a timeline!?

Come on MJ... Why are you disappointing me?

How long in your view MJZiggy must we for what has already been won?

You need some help here MJ. Ygour not getting it.

I'm always here to help.

What needed to happen in terms of your American Constitution:

Is that any gay NFL players shouldn't ever have any problem or issue (with NFL Teams) and with coming out or declaring themselves openly as being sexually Gay.

Why? Because today that shouldn't be an issue. The fact it is defines an American society that needs to be more open minded and intelligent in it's response to 'every person's hard fought Freedom Of Rights'.

don't bring nationalism into it. how many openly gay hockey players are there in canada or anywhere else? it's a human prejudice issue, a male team-sports issue...not an american issue.

[MJZiggy]

Here is your statement MJZiggy:

" What needed to happen is that several gay players, as they retired, needed to come out. After that happens a few times, people will start giving that "so what" response and then when someone does come out before he's ready to retire, folks will say that the NFL has had gay players for years. "So what?" .. " MJZiggy


Taking this portion of your statement out of the whole:

" What needed to happen is that several gay players, as they retired, needed to come out..... "

I made my repost to you and I stand now on my broader and clearly more accurate view than yours.

You'll get it...when? After you retire?

Needed. Past tense. Like 10 years ago. If that had happened, there would be no discussion about it now. It would be a non-issue. Quit being so defensive.