This weekend the XLIV Superbowl between New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts takes place in sunny Miami, Florida. But, I’m sure you already knew that, it’s a big thing after all, the American sporting world stops for it. But even if you are not a sports fan, it’s likely you’ll know about it because of the controversy that’s surrounded national broadcasting giant CBS banning of that ad, at least that’s what I thought, but it takes a clear head and a wise eyes to see through the smoke screen that erupted, Lyndon Evans, to find out it was a media hoax by Mancrunch.
But that’s not the only ‘gay’ themed story that bubbling around about the Superbowl, another is in the news, however this one is not a hoax, this is about the big, strong and strangely good looking New Orleans Saints star Scott Fujita, whom whilst getting ready for the big game, has spoken of his support of gay marriage, gay rights and his fight against inequality.
It’s not the first time the Saints linebacker has turned head and raised eyebrows for more than his playing ability. Back in October last year he publicly supported fellow NFL star Brendan Ayanbadejo’s support of gay marriage. In an interview with The Advocate this week he remained modest of his brave standpoint. ” I thought what Brendan wrote was incredibly insightful, thought-provoking, and completely on point. And many people would call it courageous. But if Brendan’s like me, I don’t know if he’d consider what we’ve done all that courageous. We have strong feelings about equal rights, and to me, expressing those feelings isn’t courageous, it’s the right thing to do.
By and large, the business of football is still pretty 1950s, where the status quo and conformity to the principles of “just shut up and play football” are intact. But the athletes themselves are more than that. We’re more than just football players, and many of us are much more open and tolerant than we get credit for. The reality, however, is that the locker room just isn’t the place where these issues are discussed, and your everyday beat writer for the local sports page doesn’t get paid to ask “
Is he not afraid of annoying some fans by speaking out for what he believes?
“I’ve found that every time I open my mouth about an issue that’s unrelated to football, I alienate some people. But that’s a risk I’m willing to take. Because for every piece of hate mail I’ve received for speaking out in support of gay marriage or for wanting to bring the troops home or for discussing the injustices of Japanese internment, there’s a dozen people who either appreciate what I’m doing or who think about the issue in a different way.”
The sports field has never really been known as the most welcoming, enlightened or encompassing of venues, regardless of which sport of played there or wherever it is located in the world, there is a vast amount of homophobia and racism that exists in sport, but it’s only with brave individuals like Scott whom are prepared to speak out that things can change, so I say well done Scott, and good luck on Saturday!
Jason Shaw, GayAgenda.com’s United Kingdom correspondent.
It’s great having a Saint for Equality, and congratulations on the big win.
Perhaps this is why they won? It was interesting, I was listening to an anti-gay “Christian” radio station, just to stay informed of what the enemy has to say, and they were talking about how everyone one is God’s child and how we all have a talent, whether it be football or something else, and yet it’s our responsibility to use our talent to make the world a better place.
But then, in almost the very next sentence they switched up and started talking about how this poor child was being allowed to be adopted by two lesbians and their evil influence in the state of Florida.
I guess some peoples talent is hate.
I am always surprised at just how much hate and prejudice is stirred up by these so called Christian fundamentalist. They are, by their own teachings, spread kindness and love, but perhaps they should also take advice from the bible –
Job, 13.5 “For only if you would be altogether silent, for you, that would be wisdom”