Coming Out of
the Locker?
By: Ryan Welte
No one has ever been openly gay in an NFL locker room. There have been a few cases of former players coming out after their careers have concluded, but no one while they were still on an active roster. There is a report that a player will come out in the next few months, while on an NFL franchise. Whoever this is says he is not scared of the reaction inside of the locker room, but outside of it, from the fans. This report does prove to us that there are gay people in the sport, and that it is just a matter of time before the first comes out.
I will say that this can be a sensitive topic to some, but I am going to discuss my feelings, and my feelings only on this.
I think that this player should not be scared of the fans reaction at all. Maybe more nervous than scared since it will make news in more than just Sports Center, but News channels around the world. I think that whoever is first to make the move will be a National Hero, and I will root for that player to have success more than anyone! There are always going to be those people who will not accept anyone that is gay, but that group is now a minority in this day in age. I think overall the locker room is going to be okay with it, but there are cases like Chris Culliver of the San Fransisco 49ers who made headlines on Super Bowl week last season with his comments on homophobic players in the NFL. The fact that he was grilled so badly by the media and fans for that tells me that people will accept the player that makes the bold move in announcing his difference in sexual preferences.
SInce there is a report though, that means someone knows. I really really hope that the player is able to come out on his own terms and that whoever may know will not cave in and tell someone that they aren't supposed to tell. That would be a real tragedy.
I think the family of the player should encourage him to come out also because a family's support is the best thing you can have. Also, depending on the player's relationship, if he already has a partner, the partner should definetly be asked about his feelings on it.
When it comes down to it, opinions like mine don't matter. It's all about the player's comfort, and if in a few weeks he has yet to come out and has changed his mind, then he should keep it too himself if he wants.