Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

John Amaechi is gay, and now the first NBA player to come out publicly is ready to talk about it.

"He is coming out of the closet as a gay man," Amaechi's publicist Howard Bragman said Wednesday.

NBA commissioner David Stern said a player's sexuality is not important.

"We have a very diverse league. The question at the NBA is always 'have you got game?' That's it, end of inquiry," he said.

Source:
[URL="http://www.southernvoice.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=11271"]Southern Voice Online[/URL]

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

Well at least Penn State will have a famous basketball player now.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

I don't know how the fans are gonna react, or other players but I assume that is a tough thing to do in the NBA.


On a side note I found his autobiography funny, I don't have a problem at all with homosexuals, so please do not get offended...
[I]Amaechi, a center who spent five seasons with four teams, is scheduled to appear on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" on Sunday, [B]and his autobiography Man in the Middle[/B], will be released Feb. 14.
[/I]

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

Anyone who is uptight about someone else's sexuality really needs to ...expand. Are people still that shallow?

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[QUOTE=dblanch66;275657]Anyone who is uptight about someone else's sexuality really needs to ...expand. Are people still that shallow?[/QUOTE]

in a word, yes. what someone else does with their life, no matter my opinion of the matter, is their own business unless pushed upon others or it causes physical or emotional harm to another person.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

Really not a huge deal until a current player comes out. I heard Rip Hamilton on Jim Rome yesterday, and he didnt say anything, but you kinda got the feeling that he might be uncomfortable changing with someone who was gay.

I dont know how they would react to an openly gay player on any pro sports team, but it will happen eventually.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

it's sad how this is a news story...the guy had a mediocre career, and now he'll be known as the gay baller.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

I think it's a shame that in this day and age athletes have to hide things like this. Sports bring about the ultimate in machismo on the inside of locker rooms and out.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

Wow...now he has more headlines than he EVER had as an NBA player.

I remember him at PSU, but what did he ever do in the Pros? I don't even know what team(s) he played for.

Really, this is none of our business and if he's telling people for attention, that's sad. Our society really needs to get over this sexual-orientation obsession. If everyone just lived their lives in their own bedrooms instead of putting it in everyone's faces (I'm talking gays, swingers, the hetero-promiscuous...EVERYONE), we'd have a lot less problems socially, politically, morally and even internationally as a lot of Muslim extremists like to site our lack of morals and open sexuality as a reason to kill us.

Sex is meant to be private. I like it only with my wife and believe that's the right way, but hey, you can do what you like too...just keep it to yourself. There's no need to advertise.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

When I was in high school, we found out we had a gay guy on our team. None of us suspected it though and were all shocked. LUCKILY, we found out AFTER he transferred to the school down the road and got an apartment with his "friend" who went by the name of "Bubba". I doubt we would've won the District Championship with that kind of distraction and uneasyness in the locker room. :D



Coincidentally, his nickname throughout H.S. was "Jay-Bird". We only had to change one letter afterwards.

(take a joke, please)

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

Some interesting comments by current players

Steven Hunter (Sixers):
"For real? He's gay for real?" said Hunter. "Nowadays it's proven that people can live double lives. I watch a lot of TV, so I see a lot of sick perverted stuff about married men running around with gay guys and all types of foolishness. "

"As long as he don't make any advances toward me I'm fine with it," Hunter added. "As long as he came to play basketball like a man and conducted himself like a good person, I'd be fine with it."

Randolph Shavlik (Sixers):

Meanwhile, here's what Shavlik had to say: "As long as you don't bring your gayness on me I'm fine. As far as business-wise, I'm sure I could play with him. But I think it would create a little awkwardness in the locker room."

LeBron James (Cavs):

"With teammates you have to be trustworthy and if you're gay and you're not admitting that you are, then you are not trustworthy," James said. "So that's like the No. 1 thing as teammates - we all trust each other. You've heard of the in-room, locker-room code. What happens in the locker-room stays in there. It's a trust factor, honestly. A big trust factor."

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=TAFKAS;275871]Some interesting comments by current players

Steven Hunter (Sixers):
"For real? He's gay for real?" said Hunter. "[B]Nowadays it's proven that people can live double lives. I watch a lot of TV, so I see a lot of sick perverted stuff about married men running around with gay guys and all types of foolishness. "[/B]

"As long as he don't make any advances toward me I'm fine with it," Hunter added. "As long as he came to play basketball like a man and conducted himself like a good person, I'd be fine with it."

Randolph Shavlik (Sixers):

Meanwhile, here's what Shavlik had to say: "[B]As long as you don't bring your gayness on me I'm fine.[/B] As far as business-wise, I'm sure I could play with him. But I think it would create a little awkwardness in the locker room."

LeBron James (Cavs):

"With teammates you have to be trustworthy and if you're gay and you're not admitting that you are, then you are not trustworthy," James said. "So that's like the No. 1 thing as teammates - we all trust each other. You've heard of the in-room, locker-room code. What happens in the locker-room stays in there. It's a trust factor, honestly. A big trust factor."[/quote]

Hm, wow alotta these guys seem very immature.


Except LeBron everyone else sounds like a 6th grade schoolboy.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=djnemo65;275641]Well at least Penn State will have a famous basketball player now.[/quote]
this is exactly what i thought:)

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[QUOTE=TAFKAS;275871]
LeBron James (Cavs):

"With teammates you have to be trustworthy and if you're gay and you're not admitting that you are, then you are not trustworthy," James said. "So that's like the No. 1 thing as teammates - we all trust each other. You've heard of the in-room, locker-room code. What happens in the locker-room stays in there. It's a trust factor, honestly. A big trust factor."[/QUOTE]

what a dumbass. admit ur gay? was he ever asked? what is he supposed to do just say hey guys im gay? he was probably scared sh*tless if he told anyone all the crap he would get from his teammates. shut up lebron u idiot

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

Tim Hardaway chimes in

[url=http://www.nbc6.net/sports/11016777/detail.html]Former Heat Player Makes Anti-Gay Remarks On Local Radio Show - Sports[/url]

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

"Well you know, I hate gay people," Hardaway said.

Nice. What a jerkoff.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

disgusting from hardaway. this kind of intolerance is embarassing for us as a society. if u have a problem with it keep it to yourself

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

I hope Hardaway gets treated the same way other biggots like Mel Gibson have. Hit the road jerk.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

And we wonder why guys stay in the closet?

It's because of retards like Hardaway.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

Hate the message, not the messenger.
Don't ask, don't tell, don't work!
I applaud Hardaway for his candid comments. Political Correctness is RAPIDLY replacing truth in this country. You can no longer tell the truth for fear of hurting someones feelings, or face the ACLU. It's refreshing to hear a celeb, ANYONE actually express (while sober) an unpopular viewpoint publicly.
I am sure he represents a large percentage, if not the majority of atheletes, at least in part, in his views.
In a subsequent interview with Amaechi regarding Hardaways comments and others. Some called for "tolerance" from biggotry. Amaechi responded, "I do NOT want to be....tolerated"
I applaud him as well for his standup attitude

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

Hate the message not the messenger?

Wow.

Personally I hate both. Actually I don't hate... I think that's a very strong word that shouldn't be used lightly. I'm glad Hardaway spoke his mind from the perspective that we shouldn't be lulled into thinking that we've eased into the 21st century and have erased these pathetic issues of hate and bigotry.

I actually feel bad for Hardaway that he can be so closed minded, hateful and ignorant. He's a sad, pathetic man.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

Wow?
Hardaway is not alone. As I said, he probably represents ahtheletes as a whole in this country. How many openly gay atheletes are active in their sport? So..........there are no gay atheletes? They do not want to deal with that stigma and the associated BS from all who would rain it on them. Not talking about it won't fix it. painful for some or not

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

I'm aware that Hardaway isn't alone. His comments represent a sad state of affairs in pro sports and society in general.

You know what's scary? If Hitler rose from the grave today he'd still have plenty of followers.

It's easy to hate what we don't understand, it takes a bigger person to keep an open mind and try to understand someone else's point of view.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=Hog1;277661]Wow?
Hardaway is not alone. As I said, he probably represents ahtheletes as a whole in this country. How many openly gay atheletes are active in their sport? So..........there are no gay atheletes? They do not want to deal with that stigma and the associated BS from all who would rain it on them. Not talking about it won't fix it. painful for some or not[/quote]

I said wow because it sounds like you are letting him off the hook by saying hate the message and not the messenger.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=Mattyk72;277663]I'm aware that Hardaway isn't alone. His comments represent a sad state of affairs in pro sports and society in general.

You know what's scary? If Hitler rose from the grave today he'd still have plenty of followers.

It's easy to hate what we don't understand, it takes a bigger person to keep an open mind and try to understand someone else's point of view.[/quote]

I agree with you, that the KKK/Skinhead/Neo-Nazi movement is anything but dead. If I had to guess, I would suspect it gains momentum. The internet helps it maintain communications, and mobilize as well.
I personally believe it's not my place to judge, so I try not to. Not always successful, but that's the goal

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=Mattyk72;277664]I said wow because it sounds like you are letting him off the hook by saying hate the message and not the messenger.[/quote]
That's a hard call. I DO respect his standing up (later to break like a wuss under media scrutiny). I don't agree with the hate message, but he has the right to say so. I think having it out in the open will do more good than harm
Like I say, it's not my place to judge him, or the gay world in general. I do not agree with the gay lifestyle in general, but it does no harm to me. Live and let live. I try not hold on to a bunch of hate and a sundry of other useless emotions. Not always successful at this either

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=Hog1;277669]That's a hard call. I DO respect his standing up (later to break like a wuss under media scrutiny). I don't agree with the hate message, but he has the right to say so. I think having it out in the open will do more good than harm
Like I say, it's not my place to judge him, or the gay world in general. I do not agree with the gay lifestyle in general, but it does no harm to me. Live and let live. I try not hold on to a bunch of hate and a sundry of other useless emotions. Not always successful at this either[/quote]
So do you applaud someone that stands up and says they hate the blacks just because they "stood up"?

If you don't believe in the homosexual lifestyle that's one thing, but applauding the abuse of the first amendment because it's not politically correct? That's totally off base.

Yeah, you're not given the right to free speech for hate comments. Yeah, he does have the right to say that, but yeah, he's also a douchebag for saying it.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=RobH4413;277700]So do you applaud someone that stands up and says they hate the blacks just because they "stood up"?

If you don't believe in the homosexual lifestyle that's one thing, but applauding the abuse of the first amendment because it's not politically correct? That's totally off base.

Yeah, you're not given the right to free speech for hate comments. Yeah, he does have the right to say that, but yeah, he's also a douchebag for saying it.[/quote]

I cannot say that I would (as I personally don't want to listen to that) enjoy anyone parading around stating they hate blacks, etc.
As far as I know, they have the right to say it under the first amendment. The same way the KKK gets to march for all kinds of distastful things. Moreover, the issue is not really about what I like, or do not.
Hardaway did society a favor by shooting off his mouth, and bringing another human rights issue to the surface. Hiding our heads in the sand and hoping something will go away does not work.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

What I don't understand is how so many minorities have such homophobic tendencies. As a minority myself, I am simply dumbfounded when my relatives make semi-bigoted comments about other minority groups (incl. homosexuals).

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=Hog1;277710]
Hardaway did society a favor by shooting off his mouth, and bringing another human rights issue to the surface. Hiding our heads in the sand and hoping something will go away does not work.[/quote]
The only favor Hardaway did to society was expose the ignorance that exists on the subject. I guess to say something so hatefull will atleast encourage others to roll their eyes at anyone who maintain prejudice against them.

Once again, if your not about the lifestyle, thats cool... But to say you hate the person.... not cool.

I don't mean to be a dick, but I've got several openly gay friends and they've got some shit to deal with. An interesting point that Amaechi made was when someone said that being gay was a choice. He simply said "why would I want to choose a lifestyle like this.... who would possibly want to choose this". I think people need to gain perspective on the issue before going all ape-shit and saying they "hate".

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[QUOTE=RobH4413;277712]The only favor Hardaway did to society was expose the ignorance that exists on the subject. I guess to say something so hatefull will atleast encourage others to roll their eyes at anyone who maintain prejudice against them.

Once again, if your not about the lifestyle, thats cool... But to say you hate the person.... not cool.

I don't mean to be a dick, but I've got several openly gay friends and they've got some shit to deal with. An interesting point that Amaechi made was when someone said that being gay was a choice. He simply said "why would I want to choose a lifestyle like this.... who would possibly want to choose this". I think people need to gain perspective on the issue before going all ape-shit and saying they "hate".[/QUOTE]

Good post. I totally agree that comments like these will only further the gay rights movement. I tend to think the gay marriage bans will have the same effect - they make gay rights a legitimate national issue and gay marriage something that is so plausible and contested that it has to be legislated against.

As for gays "choosing to be gay," my brother is gay and believe me, I knew from day 1. I was out playing football with my brothers and he was always interested in playing with dolls or watchign "My Little Pony' (no joke). Obviously, not all homosexual males are like that and I don't mean to stereotype, but he definately did not choose to be gay. Why would anyone choose to be gay? To be persecuted or have family members possibly ostracize you? When someone says to me that gays choose to be gay, I always wonder to myself, "Do you think that because you find other males' asses attractive?" or "Could you ever choose to have sex with a man?"

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;277713]Good post. I totally agree that comments like these will only further the gay rights movement. I tend to think the gay marriage bans will have the same effect - they make gay rights a legitimate national issue and gay marriage something that is so plausible and contested that it has to be legislated against.

As for gays "choosing to be gay," my brother is gay and believe me, I knew from day 1. I was out playing football with my brothers and he was always interested in playing with dolls or watchign "My Little Pony' (no joke). Obviously, not all homosexual males are like that and I don't mean to stereotype, but he definately did not choose to be gay. Why would anyone choose to be gay? To be persecuted or have family members possibly ostracize you? When someone says to me that gays choose to be gay, I always wonder to myself, "Do you think that because you find other males' asses attractive?" or "Could you ever choose to have sex with a man?"[/QUOTE]

I gotta agree with you here. One of my best friends since childhood is gay. I've asked him about and he's told me that he always knew he was different, he just didn't have a word to put to it for a long time. Once he learned the word "gay" he realized that was the label that was going to be assigned to him. I've never had any issues with him or his sexual orientation. I can't understand people who do. Tim Hardaway is way outta line on this one and he deserved to get dropped as a representative of the NBA.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;277711]What I don't understand is how so many minorities have such homophobic tendencies. As a minority myself, I am simply dumbfounded when my relatives make semi-bigoted comments about other minority groups (incl. homosexuals).[/quote]

Yeah I find that to be quite strange too.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=RobH4413;277712]The only favor Hardaway did to society was expose the ignorance that exists on the subject. I guess to say something so hatefull will atleast encourage others to roll their eyes at anyone who maintain prejudice against them.

Once again, if your not about the lifestyle, thats cool... But to say you hate the person.... not cool.

I don't mean to be a dick, but I've got several openly gay friends and they've got some shit to deal with. An interesting point that Amaechi made was when someone said that being gay was a choice. He simply said "why would I want to choose a lifestyle like this.... who would possibly want to choose this". I think people need to gain perspective on the issue before going all ape-shit and saying they "hate".[/quote]

YOU TO, have the right to express your own opinion as well.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;277711]What I don't understand is how so many minorities have such homophobic tendencies. As a minority myself, I am simply dumbfounded when my relatives make semi-bigoted comments about other minority groups (incl. homosexuals).[/quote]

I have yet to meet the person that is completely without predjudice.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[quote=Hog1;277735]I have yet to meet the person that is completely without predjudice.[/quote]

This is true, we all have prejudice. There really is no way to eliminate them, but we can put forth an effort to be conscious of our thoughts and try to hold ourselves to a higher standard than the culture around us.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

i really don't see why it even matters if someone is gay (unless, you know, you want to date them). hate is just another waste of time.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[QUOTE=Hog1;277735]I have yet to meet the person that is completely without predjudice.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I agree, but predjuice and hate are two completley different things. I have predjuice, I wish I didnt, but I know I do,but I dont have hate.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

I'm all for freedom of speech and I recognize that all people harbor prejudices, but there's world of a difference between harboring minor prejudices and saying that you "hate" X group or that you are _____phobic.

And, with regard to freedom of speech, I think a lot of people tend to forget that freedom of speech simply means that the government cannot stop people from speaking their minds. The freedom of speech does not immunize you from attacks from other people after you let crap flow from your lips. If someone wants to say something ignorant, then the government cannot stop them, but the public has every right to exercise ITS freedom of speech and bash someone for being an idiot.

Finally, there's a difference between not being PC (which is fine) and being an idiotic bigot. Hardaway was being an idiotic bigot.

Re: Former center becomes first openly gay NBA player
 

[QUOTE=Gmanc711;277794]Yes, I agree, but predjuice and hate are two completley different things. I have predjuice, I wish I didnt, but I know I do,but I dont have hate.[/QUOTE]

That's a good point and a very important distinction to make. Just because he judges gay people, doesn't mean he should hate gay people.