I've written a review of the ESPN the Magazine piece on the gay longtime 49ers trainer and the abuse he received.

nice article. i wish a few more names had been mentioned, though.

Can't wait for my issue to come in the mail so I cna read the article. Thanks for the preview Jim.

Sidenote to Garrison Hearst. McLean doesn't have a "personal habit" like biting his fingernails. He is a homosexual you stupid ignorant ass****! :mad:

Best of luck to Lindsay. Perhaps a book may be in the works? I'd read it!

I am a former trainer for a professional sports team and can certainly understand what Mr. McClean was going through. He was courageous enough to bring his Partner to his Christmas party and piblicly end all doubts about his sexuality. That was a defining moment, and I can assure you there was a meeting of 49ers administration within days to determine what should be done about this issue. I've been there.
I was particularly moved by Coach
Walsh's response to McClean's abuse from players, and his gift of a vacation to Hawaii for McClean and his partner. Times change one person at a time.

[ February 04, 2004, 06:51 AM: Message edited by: wade n atlanta ]

Sounds good. Will definitely go out and buy the magazine to read the article.

I want to know who this 350-pound piece of shit is. It should be pretty easy to figure out. Even if you take into account the gap between when an article is written and when it's actually published, which might or might not indicate that "this year's Super Bowl" was actually last year's Oakland-Tampa Bay game and not this year's New England-Carolina game. I want to know who it is. I want him publicly identified. And if he ever gets hit by a thrown battery, for once I won't disapprove.

As a Pats fan, it saddens me to say that the reference is almost certainly to Ted Washington, nose tackle extraordinaire. A quick scan of both Super Bowl rosters shows him to be the only behemoth of the size and vintage in question, and he was on the 49ers roster in 1991.

I wasn't sure who it could be, but if he was referring to this year's Super Bowl, you're probably right skiguy. And not to get too perjoritive, or anything, but what "straight" man would continue that kind of harassment? It seems like most of the players, even the homophobic ones like Hearst, simply ignored the obvious because it didn't compute for them. For someone to engage in simulated rape shows, at the very least, an emotional issue, and may be a sign of repressed homosexualtiy - not that I'm going to tell any 350-pound lineman that, however.

Nonetheless, I am very moved by McLean's story, and by the comments of Bill Walsh (is that man a class act or what?). He acted professionally through very trying times, and may serve as a counterpoint to the "out gays can't make it in professional sports" argument. If the players can handle, even with homophobic comments, a gay trainer touching some very private parts, then they should be able to handle a gay guy standing at the next locker. McLean also serves as a model of how to handle oneself in that siutation, with dignity and class.

Happy retirement, and I hope McLean and his partner really enjoyed that Hawaii trip.

Thanks for the heads up Jim. I don't usually read ESPN the Magazine, but will certainly pick up this issue.

Glad to see from your review that Bill Walsh, the architect of the great 49er teams, not only has a great mind for football, but a great heart for people as well.

If he's positively identified, I want to spend some time alone with him, fully armed...

...With a tape recorder and notepad and pens. I want to ask him what in Hades he was thinking when he did all that and why he thought such churlish behavior was acceptable.

I can relate first hand to the things I read in the review and am looking forward to reading the entire article when it comes out. Thanks. It's refreshing to see others in the field that maintain high professional and ethical values of the job while doing what we can, however small or large, to bring about understanding of diversity in the sports world.

I kept out the player's name since I was told McLean was afraid of retribution. However, it is ridiculously easy to figure out who he is and some already have. The story does say "this year's Super Bowl," as in 2004. I hope this guy gets what's coming to him.

The magazine is supposedly on the stands starting Thursday. The guy who wrote it, Chris Bull, is gay and co-wrote Billy Bean's book. He was nice enough to give me a head's up since he's a big fan of Outsports.

[ February 04, 2004, 10:48 AM: Message edited by: Jim at Outsports ]

BTW, in a related matter, Jeff Garcia says he's not gay.

Great column about Lindsy McLean -- big kudos to Mr. McLean for sharing his story and ESPN for publicizing it and bringing it to the attention of sports fans nationwide, particularly young ones who may have been ignorant on the subject....as others have already stated, I was very moved by the words and actions of Bill Walsh....I have always felt that Walsh personified class by the manner in which he conducted himself on and off the field but my admiration and respect for him is unsurpassed now that I have learned of the enormous amount of heart and compassion that he has displayed -- and I have little doubt that Coach Walsh's actions would have been the same had he not had a son that succumbed to AIDS.

On a negative note, though, I was shocked and angered beyond words by the actions attributed to former Niners lineman Ted Washington (the "nameless" homophobe described in that column)....while I know the league and Tagliabue don't have the courage or balls to penalize Washington for his past (and present??) behavior I only hope that his deplorable conduct (and not so subtle "hidden identity") is brought to the forefront by the national media and that Ted is ultimately held accountable for his words and actions, ala Shockey, Hearst and Kerney.

[ February 04, 2004, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: gamecock ]

And if Tagliabue has a gay son, as has been mentioned before, and he does nothing about incidents like this, SHAME ON HIM.

Yet another example of the NFL's hypocrisy.

I don't think the media or anyone else have exactly held any of those guys accountable. I also wouldn't call it shocking, either. I'm sure Jim Allen knows exactly what I'd call it. wink

The lack of a strong stance against homophobia is one giant black mark upon Tagliabue's reign over the NFL. I think I'll be writing another letter to him as a follow up to the letter I sent him regarding the Matt Millen controversy.

Nice write up... Something worth noting:
On one hand, it sucks that McLean had to worry about being a peacekeeper, especially since it meant he had to endure continued humiliation. Just sucks. Don't rock the boat hardly gets us anywhere. AND, I not only totally understand his situation, I've "been there" and done the same.

On the other hand, I hope dickhead homophobes or, even more important, guys who are borderline and don't speak up read this article and get a pit in their stomaches when they realize they've offended coaches and managers with their actions or silences. They've hurt people they respect by mouthing off or assuming no one else would stand up against homophobia.

I don't think we can scare anyone into tolerance or understanding, but if the Jeremy Shockeys of the world start to realize, "Uh, duh, maybe 'straight' people have reasons to be pissed off at me, too", these nitwits might start singing different tunes.

Props to McLean re: L'Affair de Garrison Hearst, and props to players, too, for acknowledging his professionalism in the manner.

Good stuff, Jim! Submit it for one of those on-line journalism awards!

To Jim and everyone at Outsports and everyone everywhere:

I'm not straight.

There, I said it. Stop the rumors. Just because I have a bunch of guy friends on Outsports and 1500 posts doesn't make me straight. I don't know if it's how I speak or what it is about me that presents that sort of label, but I don't know how many times I have to be out in public with a girlfriend to stop that from being said.

wink

[ February 04, 2004, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: GatorJamie ]

now that's worth making a milestone to remember

I can totally understand why McLean waited till his retirement before doing this interview, as his life could have been on the line. It is just too bad that these type of stories seem to be publicly announced after retirement.

We know that the NFL won't do anything about past transgressions. I don't know if McLean were still working while this story came out, that the NFL would do anything either. I do think they would get more media attention (pressure)and bad press since it would be a current event.

If McLean were being harrassed today by Washington in public, with media awareness I bet there would be someone trying to get it on video.

Philly, we could all put ourselves in his shoes and understand why he wouldn't want to do this while he was still working for the 49ers. He wanted to leave on top of the game not pushed out the door without any of the benefits that come with having retired from the NFL. I'm not sure of all of the benefits, but I would think that if he brought a negative spotlight on the team as this issue could (i.e. the lack of action against obvious sexual harrassment of a gay man), he might not be around to retire on his own terms. As an activist of sorts, I'm not saying what he did, when he did is what I would do, but we should look at the situation from his perspective.

It was heartening to read Bill Walsh's comments about the atrocious treatment endured by Lindsy McLean, particularly at the hands of Ted Washington. In spite of the risks, I wish McLean had informed Walsh about the abuse at the time. In contrast to Walsh, another well-known coach/manager in professional sports, Tommy Lasorda, whose son also died of AIDS, refused to even acknowledge that fact and apparently told homophobic jokes in the L.A. Dodgers' locker room.

I thought it was nice for a change that this year's Super Bowl teams featured two teams without any really egotistical, obnoxious or controversial players. But now the truth comes out that one of the New England Patriots players is a 'piece of shit' as Joe in Philly aptly described Washington. Outbursts by Jeremy Shockey and Garrison Hearst pale in comparison to the actions by Washington, and I hope his career suffers as a result of the publicity.

Interestingly, on Inside the NFL this week, they had the typical NFL films summary of the Super Bowl. During the coin toss, they showed the kind of trash talking between teams that is typical before such a game and there was Mr. Washington - acting extremely belligerant and obnoxious - IMHO above and beyond what is necessary to put on a "game face." Have to wonder if Washington has anger management problems or, seeing his huge size, steroid issues that may also account for his actions (assuming he is the one in question) against McLean. If it is steroids, McLean was smart to give him a wide berth - I wouldn't want a 350-pound guy on a 'roid rage after me.

Bill Konigsberg offers his unique take on the Garcia announcement.

theodoresdaddy posted

It's bad enough he's playing on one of my teams--49ers

I don' t want him playing on my other team--the gay one!

go back with your 15 year old drunken sluts Jeff

[ February 07, 2004, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: m1 ]

Marc wrote:
In contrast to Walsh, another well-known coach/manager in professional sports, Tommy Lasorda, whose son also died of AIDS, refused to even acknowledge that fact and apparently told homophobic jokes in the L.A. Dodgers' locker room.

Here-Here Marc. As a life long Dodger fan I was so disgusted at Tommy Lasagna when I learned of his attitudes and locker-room comments some years back. I'm amazed that most Dodger fans have no idea that their warm fuzzy happy pudgy former manager - is really a cold hard heartless piggish homophobe who by action seemed to "care less" about his own son's death. I was told some years back that he didn't even attend his son's services - but can't verify that.

This bag-o-bigot is so idolized here in L.A. it just disgusts me - and I still cuss at him when he pops up on my TV speaking for the baseball team I love.

Just got done reading the article. I feel the reporter did a great job with decribing the daily encounters in the sports world. Lindsy showes so much class and professionalisum in his handling of these situations that can, and sometimes do, come up on a daily basis. Very good article....

I just read it too, and I agree, a very poignant story about an admirable, quietly courageous man.

In case anybody needs it, here's the ESPN Mag response form.

It's sorta sad that Jeff Garcia thinks he will convince people of his heterosexuality by stating he "had girlfriends in the past" Actually Jeff, I think ALL gay guys have had a girlfriend at one point.

Also, why do players have to have a press conference to announce they are not gay? Is that supposed to convince us? LOL

But why do we have to go on and on saying so-and-so's gay and why does he have to hold a press conference (Jeff Garcia, Mike Piazza, Tom Cruise et. al.)?

If these people are genuinely straight, they they should be able to counter false rumors about themselves. Talking to reporters is the best way to get this message out.

And if these people are gay, well, does anybody remember being in the closet and telling someone that you were straight? It happens. And if that was me in that situation, if I was famous and in the closet and scared, maybe I would do that, too.

So I don't think we should make fun of these people. It doesn't make us (gay people) look any better.

My hope with the "one-act play" I wrote was not to make fun of Jeff Garcia, but to satirize the entire situation, to imagine how it would feel if the stories were reversed. I'd love heterosexuals to have to feel just once what it's like to have yet another person go to such lengths to make sure he isn't seen as "one of us."

Sorry guys...I didn't mean to come across as saying "hey, if you're gay, just tell us" Because believe me, I do know it's hard enough going thru something like that and accepting, and just saying the phrase "I'm gay" takes just about all the guts in the world. I guess what I meant to say was, if it is just stupid people making rumors about him, he should just let it roll of his back and ignore it.

Please don't taken any offence, as I wasn't referring to anyone specifically. But in the past we have had threads and editorials on the likes of Jeff Garcia, Mike Piazza and Tom Cruise, and I've read and heard other people complaining about "Why do they need to have a press conference to say they're straight?" as if that proves they're gay. If we ridicule the people that we think are gay, is it any wonder that they don't come out?

That's not the issue. These people think that being gay is the worst thing they can be labeled, so they try and get maxiumum publicity by declaring their heterosexuality. This has the effect of making many of us think they protest too much. Why not simply ignore rumors unless you think the label is vile when applied to you?

Well said, Cyd....what irks me is NOT that these athletes and celebrities deny they are gay but rather the implication behind these press conferences and media events that being gay would be the WORST thing that could possibly happen to them.

Fortunately, though, there are many well known actors, musicians and athletes who realize that they do have a lot of gay fans (David Beckham, Colin Farrell and Sting come immediately to mind) and, despite the fact that they happen to be straight, acknowledge and appreciate the level of support they receive from our community rather than treat us with scorn and act as if we don't exist....however, until certain members of the media stop treating every gay rumor with the same level of disgust given to being convicted of committing a federal crime then too many members of the American public will continue to believe that hatred and bigotry towards the GLBT community is "normal" and the "right way" to feel.

[ February 09, 2004, 09:14 PM: Message edited by: gamecock ]

Exactly! :mad:

Ted Washington is the player who nastily attacked the trainer. The Boston Globe has a story on Washington today.

I knew it was Washington, but deferred at the time to McLean's wish not to ID him for fear of future harassment. Obviously, this is now public.

This story's going to be around for a while...

The quote from Washington's agent is just disgusting:

Ok, so this guy knows that this was going on, that other guys were doing it (and mentions them by name), and says that "it is what it is" and a locker room is the "last bastion of male dominance". What a load of crap!! I wish one of this scumbag's clients would throw him down and simulate rape on him. Then see if he still feels the same way. The moron doesn't even know that Mr. McLean hasn't even written a book and isn't trying to sell anything. I am a really laid back person, but I want to punch this guy in the mouth. What sickens me even more is that as an agent, his only motivation in life is money, and that is the reason for these comments. :mad: :mad: :mad:

And a side note, I hate when people say "Whatever" when they have no intelligent counterargument. Put them towards the top of the "people to be shot" list.

The agent is as much a piece of shit as his client. I'm glad the story's getting publicity now.

I saw that the Redskins are in discussions with his agent. I seriously hope they don't sign him. It would seriously damage my enthusiasm for my hometown team if they did.

I have to HOPE that Joe Gibbs' "character" meter screams "get away from the fat man."

I wonder how some of you would have responded to this story had the instigating player been someone who looked like Howie Long instead of Ted Washington.

I'd have reacted exactly the same.

I agree with JIP. Because I don't think with THAT head.

Well, it seems there's quite a disparity between the posters' characterization of the 350 pound African-African lineman Ted Washington, who is labeled in this thread a "piece of shit" and a "scumbag", and other not-so-dark and not-so-big athletes whose behavior or comments towards gays has been inappropriate/inexcusable:

Yet, the most derisive comments made about Jeremy Shockey seem to be: "a young immature person", "an insecure man dissing gay men for no reason other than ignorance", "young and stupid, ignorant homophobe", "the type who protests a little too much and shows his total preoccupation with homosexuality", a "jerk", and then comments about his "nice butt", "how we watch him on TV or at the stadium and spend the whole time staring at his butt and picturing him naked", and "he's TOTALLY hot!! Mother of God, is he hot!! Somehow the thought that he might be a closet homophobe makes him even more appealing".

The notorious John Rocker gets "a big horse's patootie", "stupid", "idiot", and "low-grade moron".

I recall some soft balls being thrown in another homophobic athlete thread regarding the other fair-skinned pitcher's comments as well.

[ February 16, 2004, 08:35 PM: Message edited by: YellaDawg ]

YellaDawg, please don't make this a racial issue. Jeremy Shockey, John Rocker and Todd Jones are ignorant homophobes and deserve the criticism they received, but to the best of my knowledge none of them actually engaged in the physical torment and emotional abuse of an individual gay person, as Ted Washington apparently did. To me, that makes Washington's behaviour even more reprehensible, bordering on criminal, and the fact that he is black is completely irrelevant.

Oh, come on. "Physically tormented" and "emotionally abused"? Sure, the player's behavior was juvenile and unprofessional, and I'm certainly not condoning it, but I've seen far worse in all-male environments like college athletics locker rooms, military dorms, etc. And I'm sorry, but I personally know what rape is from first-hand experience, and characterizing that behavior as described (unless something else indeed took place that is not mentioned) as a "simulated rape act" is a little much, and I believe that this language -- once again, a very powerful tool -- may very well be used because of what the instigator looked like versus the severity of the act. "Harassment", yes, of course. But "simulated rape"? That's tantamount to slander. And if it were THAT obscene and criminal, particularly if one of the acts took place in the company of witnesses, then it very well should have been reported, at the very least to a trusted supervisor.

I also remember a thread here calling Garrison Hearst a "piece of shit" as well -- not exactly the same characterization afforded the fair-haired Jeremy Shockey for the same kinds of comments. Again, in hindsight it's easy to deny, but I still wonder if the characterization would have been as vicious had the player looked like someone the majority of you are attracted to or looks more like you.

Big difference between what Shockey SAID and what Washington DID to McLean over a period of years, including harrassing him even after the lineman left the Niners. And it was "simulated" rape. "Reproduced or made to resemble ..."

You say you aren't condoning what happened, but also say: "Oh, come on. "Physically tormented" and "emotionally abused"?" Uh, you are condoning it.

[ February 16, 2004, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: Jim at Outsports ]

Just because you've seen worse doesn't excuse the behavior of Washington. If someone is physically harassing me at work, that is more than juvenile and unprofessional. If the behavior was criminal, which it probably was, I think I understand why it wasn't reported - because the person being harassed was gay and didn't want to come out publically at the time. Let's not make excuses for Washington based upon his race, any more than we should make judgements based upon someone's race.

I also think you are making assumptions about what most of the posters on this board look like or who they are attracted to. Maybe that is the topic for another thread. wink

[ February 16, 2004, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: scottie ]

No, I'm not condoning it. As I said before, I think his behavior was juvenile and unprofessional and deserved to be reported. I'm not necessarily convinced that the incidences as reported rise to level of "simulated rape". But my initial concern was the language and characterizations used to describe the various offenders. Am I to understand that, on this board, a "piece of shit" label is accorded liberally depending not on the acts of the individual offender, but on his attractiveness/skin color? And that men who are more appealing get less offensive labeling? Because believe me, I'm all for calling (convicted) rapists and (confirmed) homophobes "pieces of shit", but if we're going to do so, please, let's be consistent. Not just the ones we don't think are cute.

You bring up something else, Jim. I can understand his reluctance to report the incidents while Washington was still playing on his team. I cannot understand his reluctance to report them to a trusted colleague or supervisor AFTER he left the team and the incidences still occurred and were confined to one individual, particularly if they were so incredibly egregious.

[ February 16, 2004, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: YellaDawg ]