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

[woodbuck27]

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...not an american issue.

Canadian hockey players and Aaron Rodgers and NFL players and gay or not.

Make a better attempt et getting focused, member.

As difficult as that may be for you gbgary. At least attempt some clear focus and not some ridiculous diversion to Canada Vs the USA (America) and OUR way Vs YOURS.

Such is to entertain a debate with me where 'YOU' gbgary would be severely tested. You would need a great deal of help to even be marginally close to making some stupid point and that. Hopefully the membership is more as a whole intelligent.

I do NOT bring Nationalism into my post. I refer to your American Constitution. I do so with all respect and if you have an issue with that **FUCK OFF please ! Thank You.

**I never go there with any member here but in your case and your debased way that's clearly appropriate and likely the 'only' thing you might understand. That's generally the 'only' demand your kind understands.

[mraynrand]

After skimming this thread, the obvious conclusion is that Tim Tebow is gay.

[woodbuck27]

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.

I'm never defensive MJ. I need not be.

There's right and wrong and shades in between that need not be discussed in any elaborate sense.

[Patler]

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.

Not a lot of openly gay players, but the NHL and hockey generally have made a commitment to acceptance of gay players. Read about Brenden Burke, and the work of NHL executives including his father and brother backing the "You Can Play Project". Many top NHL players have gotten behind the project with videos and such.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-pu...143441932.html


There is a strong effort in the NHL and both USA Hockey and Hockey Canada to change the culture on the ice and in the locker rooms to make it accepting of gay players, much of it being the work of the Burkes.

Interesting to contrast that with the inaction of the NFL, even though Paul Tagliabue has a son who has been openly gay since before his father became Commissioner. While Paul Tagliabue has been very active in gay rights after retiring from the NFL, he didn't push the issue while commissioner, as far as I know.

[gbgary]

bla bla bla

you said "...american society needs to..." and I infered it's world-wide male-sports issue not solely an american one. what things should be and what they are are miles apart. we agree things should be different and such things shouldn't matter but sadly that isn't the case. you've gone off the deep end with your personal
attack but that's up to you. you have a happy new year.

[gbgary]

Not a lot of openly gay players, but the NHL and hockey generally have made a commitment to acceptance of gay players. Read about Brenden Burke, and the work of NHL executives including his father and brother backing the "You Can Play Project". Many top NHL players have gotten behind the project with videos and such.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-pu...143441932.html


There is a strong effort in the NHL and both USA Hockey and Hockey Canada to change the culture on the ice and in the locker rooms to make it accepting of gay players, much of it being the work of the Burkes.

Interesting to contrast that with the inaction of the NFL, even though Paul Tagliabue has a son who has been openly gay since before his father became Commissioner. While Paul Tagliabue has been very active in gay rights after retiring from the NFL, he didn't push the issue while commissioner, as far as I know.

I don't track outed athletes but they are very few and far between in male team sports be it football, soccer, cricket, hockey, baseball, rugby, or whatever. any progress these institutions make is commendable and over due. I just don't see much happening for several years as these athletes keep quiet for whatever reason be it fear of personal, financial, or institutional backlash.

[woodbuck27]

you said "...american society needs to..." and I infered it's world-wide male-sports issue not solely an american one. what things should be and what they are are miles apart. we agree things should be different and such things shouldn't matter but sadly that isn't the case. you've gone off the deep end with your personal
attack but that's up to you. you have a happy new year.

See this gbgary...SEE POST #35. 'YOU gbgary' forged a post under my name.

Originally Posted by woodbuck27 View Post

Your BS gbgary not mine.

bla bla bla ... Your shit gbgary...

I don't act like such a adolescent gbgary.

Your clearly out of line doing so...'forging a post' and thereby disrespecting yourself.

I exercise a good deal more respect for myself. Are capable of such?

Personal attack..NO mister. You get simply what you clearly ask for.

[Patler]

I don't track outed athletes but they are very few and far between in male team sports be it football, soccer, cricket, hockey, baseball, rugby, or whatever. any progress these institutions make is commendable and over due. I just don't see much happening for several years as these athletes keep quiet for whatever reason be it fear of personal, financial, or institutional backlash.

Of course not, because things don't change overnight. However, I believe hockey is quite far ahead of the other major sports in changing their culture. As a result, there is not much surprise in the hockey world when a player does come out. Contrast that with the fanfare in the NBA last year, and the anticipation of a breakthrough yet to come in the NFL.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3316/kerry-rhodes

Free agent S Kerry Rhodes had generated little interest from NFL teams since being released by the Cardinals in March. It's been reported that Kerry Rhodes turned down a one-year, $3 million contract offer from the Arizona Cardinals (Sept. 13, 2013). There has been interest in Rhodes; it just isn't mutual. Long a high-quality on-field performer Kerry Rhodes could be helping an NFL football team, but he seems intent on continuing his life away from the gridiron.

Kerry Rhodes worked out for the New York Giants on Tuesday Sept. 17, 2013 and nothing came of that and it's his last known visit to any NFL team.

Why one of the top safeties in all of football in the 2012 season has been out of the game may simply be described as a mystery.

** Kerry Rhodes Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 212 lb (96 kg) :

** All-Pro (2006); NFC Interception Return yards leader (2010)

** Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2012 ...Tackles 608; Sacks 13.0 ; Interceptions 23 and Forced fumbles 8

Alert Ted Thompson:

Ted Thompson get this MAN into Green Bay for a try out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Rhodes

His sista's love Kerry. His sista's say: Come Onn Packers !

Come On Ted ! Try Kerry out Ted. Come Onn !


GO PACKERS ! GO PACK GO !!

[SkinBasket]

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

Why did they "need" to come out? Can't they just be gay without being an activist about it or telling a world that shouldn't, and for the most part doesn't, care anymore? Who are the people asking these questions? Usually they aren't people trying to intimidate or mock. The people desperately trying to "out" queers are the same who are incessantly pushing the gay agenda that's given this nation fag fatigue.

As others have already mentioned, the fans, the players, and the front offices don't want to hear about it. They want to watch, play, and manage football without having another sociopolitical issue forced on them turning the league into another terrible, soul-destroying season of Glee. People are tired of being told that if you don't actively support every aspect of the gay agenda, from marriage to equality in sports, to floats in parades and naked assholes dancing in the streets reinforcing all the negative stereotypes about them, to fake hate crimes meant to raise "social awareness," you're homophobic or otherwise hate the gays.

So until we start demanding that every player with something minorital about him reveal himself, maybe people should stop demanding that the fags do the same and just leave them the fuck alone to make their own decisions.

[woodbuck27]

Why did they "need" to come out? Can't they just be gay without being an activist about it or telling a world that shouldn't, and for the most part doesn't, care anymore? Who are the people asking these questions? Usually they aren't people trying to intimidate or mock. The people desperately trying to "out" queers are the same who are incessantly pushing the gay agenda that's given this nation fag fatigue.

As others have already mentioned, the fans, the players, and the front offices don't want to hear about it. They want to watch, play, and manage football without having another sociopolitical issue forced on them turning the league into another terrible, soul-destroying season of Glee. People are tired of being told that if you don't actively support every aspect of the gay agenda, from marriage to equality in sports, to floats in parades and naked assholes dancing in the streets reinforcing all the negative stereotypes about them, to fake hate crimes meant to raise "social awareness," you're homophobic or otherwise hate the gays.

So until we start demanding that every player with something minorital about him reveal himself, maybe people should stop demanding that the fags do the same and just leave them the fuck alone to make their own decisions.

Yes I agree but believe that's another kettle of fish issue.

[Pugger]

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?"

What is truly sad is the fact that anyone has to 'come out' at all. Frankly, if it doesn't affect his performance on the gridiron it is nobody's damn business what they do in the privacy of their own home. I have several friends and acquaintances who are gay (both men and women). I don't understand the attraction but other than that I have no problem with any of them.

[pbmax]

Why did they "need" to come out? Can't they just be gay without being an activist about it or telling a world that shouldn't, and for the most part doesn't, care anymore?

Because it still carries a stigma whether people want to hear about it or not. The fact that some posters on this board say its fine and we don't need to hear anymore is not proof positive that acceptance has been achieved.

Patler just mentioned that the Hockey Associations are working toward making on out hockey player possible, if nothing else need be done, exactly what are they doing? There are folks inside and outside the NFL trying to make this possible, exactly what barriers are they working to take down if there are none?

I am pretty sure there is a cornerback for the 49ers (or was, the comment was last year) who recently informed us he wasn't down with the gays. He was asked about having a gay teammate. Now its possible he simply doesn't agree with the fashion trends, but its also possible he is really not happy about having a gay teammate. If its one guy, then there isn't much of a problem. But since no one wants to talk about it, how much support is there for his position on his team and in that org?

Could be very little, could be a lot. Hard to know if no one talks about it. These conversations need to happen.

If one athlete does come out, these conversations then have to happen. Teams will have meetings, reporters will have leverage to get statements from teams. Up to that point, it possible to imagine all is well for ANY position.

Is it ideal? Not really, because it will get confused with celebrity culture and coverage. Conclusions will be drawn about the whole from one part. But it still beats silence.

I think most gay players (most gay people probably) agree with you, that they would prefer just to be. But from the perspective of a gay player, I don't think that means all is well.

[mraynrand]

Because it still carries a stigma whether people want to hear about it or not. The fact that some posters on this board say its fine and we don't need to hear anymore is not proof positive that acceptance has been achieved.

That's the issue: can and will acceptance be achieved. I don't think so - not any time soon. That's the rub, so to speak. The gay activists don't want tolerance, they want acceptance and celebration. People who think gay behavior is a sin, I think, mostly are OK with tolerance, but don't want to be forced into acceptance. It used to be far worse for gays, in that they'd get beat up and shunned if discovered. The acceptance crowd is fighting today's battle through that lens, and is using that history, and the great push through the social institutions to gain total accommodation. Given the success they've had, I see no reason for them not to keep pushing. The goal is to turn those who think gay behavior is sinful into the pariahs that gays used to be. And the NFL would be a grand victory considering how anti-gay it's been, or at least is perceived to be.

[woodbuck27]

That's the issue: can and will acceptance be achieved. I don't think so - not any time soon. That's the rub, so to speak. The gay activists don't want tolerance, they want acceptance and celebration. People who think gay behavior is a sin, I think, mostly are OK with tolerance, but don't want to be forced into acceptance. It used to be far worse for gays, in that they'd get beat up and shunned if discovered. The acceptance crowd is fighting today's battle through that lens, and is using that history, and the great push through the social institutions to gain total accommodation. Given the success they've had, I see no reason for them not to keep pushing. The goal is to turn those who think gay behavior is sinful into the pariahs that gays used to be. And the NFL would be a grand victory considering how anti-gay it's been, or at least is perceived to be.

So much goes away if NFL teams simply employ a man/ woman irregardless of his/her sexuality.

It's just too simple that way.