WaPo on Brendon Ayanbadejo's Support for Gay Marriage

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo's public support for marriage equality is good for sports and is winning him many gay fans, says Outsports editor Jim Buzinski at the Washington Post. Buzinski is editing a pro-con conversation around Ayanabadejo at WaPo's NFL blog and linked to Rod 2.0's coverage several times.

"It calls a lie to the "dumb jock" stereotype and shows they are engaged in the world beyond the locker room. But there is a downside for politically active jocks, especially on controversial social issues like gay marriage. Tony Dungy became Public Enemy No. 1 among the gay readers on Outsports when he headlined a 2007 fund-raiser for the Indiana Family Institute, a political lobby that is against gay marriage. The Prop 8 anti-gay marriage amendment in California in 2008 brought forward the same feelings. Jeff Kent, then with the Los Angeles Dodgers, gave $15,000 to defeat gay marriage, while Jacques Cesaire of the San Diego Chargers was featured an anti-gay marriage rally in San Diego. Gay fans I know instantly wished serious injury on both. On the other hand, Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Ravens is a new gay fan favorite for his pro-gay marriage stance...his nipple ring doesn't hurt."

The opposite POV: Author and sports lawyer Nahan Whitaker says players should "watch what they say" and should "give some thought to what their employer's position might be."

Whitaker never suggested Brady Quinn or Jeff Kent should have asked permission to express their conservative views. Whitaker might just have a problem with gay rights: He is the co-writer of Uncommon, the memoir written by Coach Tony Dungy, well known for his social conservative views against gays.

Comments

[Derrick from Philly]

You're absolutely right,Rod. Nathan Whitaker is full of right-wing family values sh_t and so is Tony Dungy. It never occured to me that Mr Ayanabadejo would be the object of intense criticism because of his valiant support of gay folks' civil rights.

They better not mess with Charles Barkley about his support for gay civil rights. He'll tell them to kiss his big bountiful booty (which I would do but for different reasons).

[TheRevKev]

WHO DO YOU DEBATE SOMEONE'S OPINION!?

The brother is smart enough, open enough, insightful enough AND bold enough to open his mouth for his own stances!

THE REAL DEBATE should be why so many proballers in many sports get SMALLER with money (as in their willingness to be powerful) as opposed to BIGGER! This dude isn't a MULTIMILLIONAIRE and is willing to stand up for his beliefs NOW. Imagine the powerforce he will be when he's got money! THAT'S WHY THEY ARE TRYING TO STOP HIM NOW!!!

Thank you Rod!

THANK YOU BRENDON! Way to go!

Thank you Nathan Whitaker for reminding us what articulate ignorance sounds like!

[Kevjack]

The double standards make me sick!

And let's not forget the fact that "Mr. Conservative Football" Brady Quinn was implicated in an incident in Ohio where his group of friends yelled "f-gg-t" at patrons of the gay bar next door to their hangout. Did he seek approval from the Browns before this happened?

[Zambos27]

@Derrick, I met Charles Barkley twice at two different straight clubs in Atlanta. And boy does he have the biggest booty. I was amazed at how big and round it was. He is an extremely nice guy, too.

Go Brendon. Please don't retract your statement due to somebody forcing you.

[ff]

Brady Quinn = Mr Conservative Football?

really???

is that a cover up for all the gay rumors about him? Maybe the pictures of him with his hands on other guys crotches raised the eyebrows of the leaders at Notre Dame (where he played college ball) so he had to come up with something....

[Jim]

I'm trying to grasp what that white dot is just below Mr. Ayanbadejo's belly button in the second picture. Is it some new fashion trend I'm not up on? Some strange lens artifact maybe?

(Excuse me for my shallowness, but he IS a distraction.)