By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Active NBA player Jason Collins made history by becoming the first ever to come out the closet, but the revelation hasn’t gone over well with everyone. Wide receiver Mike Wallace of the Miami Dolphins angered people when he tweeted that he didn’t understand it, while Eric Williams, ex husband to former Basketball Wives star Jennifer Williams and former NBA player said he thinks Jason Collins is a mockery to black men. Now it appears that Asante Samuel of the Atlanta Falcons is giving his two cents on the subject, and the corner back of the football teams says people shouldn’t announce or flaunt their sexuality. He tells Fox Sports Radio:
“Straight people are not announcing they’re straight, so why does everybody have to announce their sexuality or whatever? You know, what they prefer. So that’s just how I see it. That’s my opinion on things. All respect you know, I have nothing but respect for the people whoever decisions they make and whatever, but you know, you don’t have to show it and flaunt it like that. You know what I’m saying, we have kids out here too.
“Who says you had to announce what you are and that has to be talked about because you’re playing a sport? Talk about the sport, how good you do in the sport. What you did the last game, keep that like that. You don’t have to go into detail about other things. Lets keep it about the touchdowns, the baskets made, the shots, the assists, the goals made.”
Do you agree with Asante? Or was he out of line? Leave your thoughts below.
I see what his saying BUT he lost me when he said “we have kids out here too.” That right there lets me know that he thinks gay people are nasty. I can’t get down with that.
I caught that too. Gay people are people too. You may not agree with what they do in their bedrooms, but why treat them like they are nasty? Asante talked about them in a way that sounds like their lifestyle is less than human. Who are we to judge?
I completely agree. It threw off his whole statement for me.
Yeah I was with him until he made that statement. There are so many things that affect children. It ain’t just gay & lesbian people!
no, I think he means kids are watching so keep sex away from the game.
I strongly agree with him. My boyfriend has a brother I’ve never met…but he makes sure to tell me about his “gay brother” all the time. He never says just “brother” and I will never understand that. Why should I know what type of sex/relationships this guy I’ve never met is in to?
I wish gay people didn’t have this kind of pressure.
I completely agree with him. I personally could care less what someone does in their bedroom. That’s their personal business but when it is announced for the public. People can’t get mad when some people don’t agree. Everyone has a right to their opinion.
yup!
He’s a great cornerback, but he sounds ignorant here. Gay people announce they are gay because most of them hide it from everyone else and their lifestyle is generally not accepted by a lot of people. So when they are public figures and they tell the world the truth, it’s a big deal. One day we might get to a point where it’s not still a big deal, but we aren’t there yet.
He sounds like a dumb jock. You can’t compare the gays to the straights. Straight people do not get looked down by society for being straight. In a lot of cases, gays do and some even get cut off by their own families. So when they come out, it is commendable because they risk being the target of a lot of hate. Even Jason Collins got death threats the same day he came out. People hide their digs for gays with this kind of talk. Smh.
He’s right. People are making too big of a deal out of something they are trying to convince everyone else is “normal.” So if it’s normal and should be accepted, why all the hype? IJS.
Until people stop caring so much about people being gay, then we will have more “announcements.”
Is he serious? You don’t have to show it or flaunt it? So what are straight people doing when they walk out the house and hold hands everyday? Hypocrisy!
Agreed!
He’s basically saying if you’re gay, keep it to yourself. So in essence, stay yo azz in the closet. And to that I say, he’s part of the problem.
In regards to announcements, I agree. If you are who you are, then there are no announcements necessary. Just BE who you are – less talk, more actions. No discussion necessary.
I agree. I’m not concern with someone’s sexual preference but how well they do their jobs. I don’t need to know who you or what you love. Thats your life & you owe no one anything. I don’t think he’s saying ‘STAY IN THE CLOSET & GAYS ARE NASTY’ in this statement. Heck, when he referenced
“we have kids out here too”
He may be saying ‘we have kids out here too’ & we shouldn’t make it a big deal in society to announce all of your personal life because it has NOTHING to do with our craft. I’m not saying live in a shell but if you are in a high profile career to begin with, wouldn’t you want something for yourself?