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Since I'm not a big basketball fan (got cut the first day of try-outs in 7th and 8th grades and have held a grudge ever since) I've never heard of John. But he's attractive, well spoken and seems to have a big heart. I would welcome him into our family faster than Shaq can miss a free-throw.
This post has been edited by Maddog: Jan 29 2007, 10:23 AM
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If this is John Amaechi, good for him if he's coming out, but a star? Not remotely. Then again, neither was Billy Bean. And I don't think Esera Tuaolo fit that description either during his playing career.
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QUOTE(MammaB @ Jan 28 2007, 07:44 PM)
I'm guessing John Amaechi too. He played for two college teams (Vanderbilt and Penn State), he played center, his is parents split when he was very young and he was raised solely by his mother, his mother has passed away, he has made comments that indicate he was overweight as a teen, he's suffered a life-threatening injury...
I see you guys beat me to this one... I'd say everything fits him as well. If so, it's going to rattle some cages at PSU. For that reason alone, I hope it's true. Plus, it would confirm what I said in an old thread on here. LOL But seriously, I think John is a fascinating man, and if it is him, I'm sure it will be a great read.
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A former coworker of mine knew Amaechi in college, and had good things to say about him. I always thought he was gay, but then I also have always thought both KJ and AC Green were gay as well. But let's see if this pans out. Amaechi would fit the "middle" description on multiple levels.
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I find this fascinating...
QUOTE
"By the end of my second Utah season, I was practically daring reporters to take the bait and out me," he wrote. "But it never happened. My sexuality, I felt, had become an open secret, which was fine by me. I'd left enough open to interpretation that suspicions were gaining momentum."
He wanted a reporter to out him, yet couldn't find a way to come out on his own? I think this is sad.
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QUOTE(MammaB @ Jan 28 2007, 06:44 PM)
I'm guessing John Amaechi too. He played for two college teams (Vanderbilt and Penn State), he played center, his is parents split when he was very young and he was raised solely by his mother, his mother has passed away, he has made comments that indicate he was overweight as a teen, he's suffered a life-threatening injury...
What does his mother passing away, being overweight as a teen, and a life-threatening injury have anything to do with him being gay? Or did I miss somethin
BTW, good on him for coming out...I'm interested to hear the reaction from the Utah Jazz organization
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QUOTE(Enigma @ Feb 6 2007, 08:08 PM)
What does his mother passing away, being overweight as a teen, and a life-threatening injury have anything to do with him being gay? Or did I miss somethin
I believe those were just hints to clue you in as to his identity.
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Wonder if Amechi had any kind of rapport whatsoever with Renee Portland while at Penn State.....somewhat ironic. Gotta wonder what she's' thinking as this makes the news.
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John Amaechi is a great humanitarian. This is such an incredible story because of all he does for children. John Amaechi is a tremendous role model for the community.
It makes me angry when all those ignorant idiots automatically think "child predator" when they talk about gay men. I feel like asking all those ignorant dopes exactly what volunteer work have they done for children or senior citizens?
We should all be proud to have John Amaechi in our community!
I am so happy for you John Amaechi. You are a hero!
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Awesome! I keep hearing Etta James' "At Last" in my head. I know that there will be those who criticize John for not coming out sooner and those who will not care because he is not Michael Jordan or hot according to their sex fantasy tastes, but John is a great human being who is using the power he has to promote what he says he believes in the world. I am honored to know that he is a part of the community. And proud to see that another professional athlete is willing to stand up and say he is gay when there are places in the world where this means death. For those in our community who will be negative because nothing is ever good enough for them in terms of anything, I say this: don't be bitter, go out and make your life better!
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I am very proud that John Amaechi would care so much about his brothers that he would sacrifice his privacy to advance understanding of gay males. John shows himself to be a brave citizen and a kind gentleman, who is willing to stand tall in front of the world, a tower of strength and the "man in the middle."
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QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Feb 6 2007, 06:50 PM)
I find this fascinating... He wanted a reporter to out him, yet couldn't find a way to come out on his own? I think this is sad.
I understand that, you would rather just be out and get it over with but can't find the words to do it yourself. That's pretty reasonable for someone in a situation like that.
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Does anyone else find it very interesting that Mr. Amaechi chose to release his book and appear on ESPN during the NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas? What a brilliant move on his part! I wonder if there is going to be one courageous reporter in the bunch that dare ask any of the NBA elite players participating in next weekend's festivities what their viewpoints are on both Amaechi and gay rights. Who knows, we might just see a very lively discussion on gays in pro sports next weekend. If nothing else, I'm sure Sir Charles Barkley surely will have plenty to say!
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So, Mr. Amaechi had been seen numerous times in West Hollywood, so this isn't really big news in the gay bball community. And while it's great he's publically coming out as the first, you just wish it was a player who was actually pretty good. No offense, but his numbers were horrible. The man was 6'9 and his career high for rebounds in a game was 10 -- in one game! Granted, he may have had better numbers and contributed more if he had stayed in Orlando, but he took the money in Utah and couldn't live up to the contract. I'll be curious what he talks about in his book, but this isn't on the level of Swoops in my opinion. She's a true legend in the women's game. When is the great or let alone very good NBA player going to come out? Let's hope that guys is next.
This post has been edited by jockgroove: Feb 7 2007, 02:04 AM
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QUOTE(blueraider @ Feb 6 2007, 05:38 PM)
Wonder if Amechi had any kind of rapport whatsoever with Renee Portland while at Penn State.....somewhat ironic. Gotta wonder what she's' thinking as this makes the news.
And later with the Jazz, with Larry "get that gay cowboy movie out of my theaters" Miller signing his checks. Will be interesting to see what kind of coverage this gets in the coming weeks....
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Outsports... great work in breaking this story!
Edit to add: Best wishes to John Amaechi. It's a brave step to be the first NBA player to come out. I hope the book goes well, and you are able to get some public recognition and tell your story. Oprah, Larry King, The View... book this guy! And hopefully gays in the NBA (and LGBT fans of basketball, in general), get some recognition and respect. As someone posted on another thread, NBA All Star weekend is coming up and there will be lots of opportunity for the talking heads to raise this issue and discuss. I'm sure Charles Barkley would not be afraid to talk about it. Hopefully others will express their views.
Article from the Patriot-News about the open secret dating to Amaechi's days at Penn State.
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Sure he's no big star and sure he's no longer playing, but give the guy credit for coming out! Slow and steady...maybe I'm living in a dream world, but I really feel that within ten years an active player will come out in the pros.
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QUOTE(jockgroove @ Feb 6 2007, 11:03 PM)
So, Mr. Amaechi had been seen numerous times in West Hollywood, so this isn't really big news in the gay bball community. And while it's great he's publically coming out as the first, you just wish it was a player who was actually pretty good. No offense, but his numbers were horrible. The man was 6'9 and his career high for rebounds in a game was 10 -- in one game! Granted, he may have had better numbers and contributed more if he had stayed in Orlando, but he took the money in Utah and couldn't live up to the contract. I'll be curious what he talks about in his book, but this isn't on the level of Swoops in my opinion. She's a true legend in the women's game. When is the great or let alone very good NBA player going to come out? Let's hope that guys is next.
I bet you're the kind of person who stares at the microwave and yells, "Hurry Up!"
Be happy we've got our first baby step in the right direction. I'm proud of Meech and his courage should not be diminished in any way whatsoever.
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I'm not the biggest NBA fan but I love college hoops and follow it pretty closely... yet I've never heard of him. Hmm. I don't remember him at Penn State at all. Was he a major Big Ten star?
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Why are we even debating if he's a "big enough" star or not? The man played in the NBA for 9 years and he's the biggest NBA star ever from the UK. Along with his fame, he's using the millions of dollars he earned in the NBA to help underprivileged kids. Those facts alone makes him a star in my eyes and certainly worthy of the respect of the GLBT community! Apparently folks are not going to be satisfied until King Michael Jordan announces he's likes boys and is a total bottom. At least Mr. Amaechi had the courage to ignore the fallout and possibility of alienation of fellows pro athletes and sponsors and take a step in the right direction.
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QUOTE(TheOtherFSU @ Feb 7 2007, 05:55 PM)
I'm not the biggest NBA fan but I love college hoops and follow it pretty closely... yet I've never heard of him. Hmm. I don't remember him at Penn State at all. Was he a major Big Ten star?
Sorry, but when talking hoops -- "Penn State" and "major Big Ten star" does not compute
(I don't remember him from PSU either)
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Glad I'm not the only one who said, "Who?," when I first heard the news. I'm not dissing the guy or anything. I just honestly had no idea who he was. I'm interested now in learning more about him.
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Well, if you don't follow the NBA, you never would have heard of him. It's not his fault that he wasn't an elite player.
Personally, I'm still irritated with him for turning down the Lakers, when we desperately needed a backup center. He was considered good enough at the time, that missing out on him was a major disappointment for the team. But he deserves all the credit in the world now.
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QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Feb 6 2007, 07:50 PM)
I find this fascinating... He wanted a reporter to out him, yet couldn't find a way to come out on his own? I think this is sad.
It's also another confirmation of the bizarre double standard in the media. They have no problem exposing any and all sexual/personal/intimate secrets of a het star, but whether we are talking about gay or lesbian sports stars or actors or other celebrities, there seems to be an unwritten rule that the media (other than tabloids) just won't discuss any evidence of the truth about their lives. I mean, Rosie O'Donnell was not only well known to be a lesbian, she was out on the town with her girlfriend all the town, and the MSM just would not talk about it.
Until being gay is really treated as nothing different than being straight - and items like Amaechi being in gay clubs are reported - we really won't have equality.
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QUOTE(jay original @ Feb 7 2007, 04:31 AM)
I know that there will be those who criticize John for not coming out sooner and those who will not care because he is not Michael Jordan or hot according to their sex fantasy tastes..
John Amaechi, "Man in the Middle"
Jan 28 2007, 11:13 PM
Plus, it would confirm what I said in an old thread on here. LOL But seriously, I think John is a fascinating man, and if it is him, I'm sure it will be a great read.
