Surely they must know that there are a lot of men who find them attractive. How do they feel about this? Are they tolerant, or do they threaten to beat them up? It's nice to have this board where I don't have to say vague things like "He looks great out there today." But what do these guys do when they realize that all the cheers aren't for their playing ability?

I was thinking the same thing driving to work today. For example...Do you think Dale Earnhardt Jr. likes having gay fans? I can't imagine he does, but I like him none-the-less.

Ricky Williams once said that he appreciated all his fans "straight or gay." He said it unprompted and I've always liked him after that.

I'm sure it depends on the athlete in question. Some are probably uncomfortable with it and some are probably cool with it and some probably don't think about it one way or the other. :cool:

Nice story about Ricky Williams!

Jason, that's a bit weird to me. If I found out someone I like doesn't like black fans, I'd be pretty quick to start disliking him/her in kind. It's one thing not to know whether or not Dale likes having gay fans. But the second he makes it clear he doesn't, I'd imagine he'd lose most, if not all, of his gay fans.

It does depend on the athlete. And sometimes the sport. And it depends on what having gay fans means. I know one guy (not famous) who is no homophobe, but he plays rugby, and he once told me that the increased attention on the perceived gayness of the game by gay fans (who think, for example, there's something sexual about forming a scrummage, etc.) can be annoying.

Keep in mind that these athletes haven't grown up in isolation--many probably know gays & interact with them so having gay fans would be no big deal. During the riduculous "gay Met" incident last season, Rob Dibble and Sean Salisbury both said they had played on teams with gay teammates and that it was no big deal, though both said certain players would shy away from the gay teammate. (This is perfectly normal; think of your place of business--aren't there people you shy away from?) If it's no big deal to have a gay teammate, it's no big to know you're being cheered on by gay fans.

~Adam

I don't know if I have a good answer, but it seems like a question that Carrie Bradshaw would say in a voiceover as she typed it on her Apple computer in an episode of Sex and the City...

I don't just find any guy attractive. You'd think they'd realize what a huge accomplishment it is to be on my list!

I've heard that Mike Piazza is very appreciative of his gay fans.

Quote from Nascar007: Not to mention he is appreciative of his gay lover too! wink

the way gabe kapler markets himself to gays, im sure its in appreciation for all the support we give him, i'm really surprised with how aware he is of his gay following there hasn't been any talk in the media about him along the lines of piazza

It's rare to even hear most athletes use any term associated with gays. I posted an article about two wrestlers in another thread in which one uses the word "homophobia". How many times have you seen that? The rarity sort of makes his point.

I remember some years ago when Brady Anderson was playing for the Orioles that he was told gay male fans were drooling over him. One reporter supposedly told him of all the websites and chatrooms that were filled with images of him. He just looked at the reporter and turned away. He never did reply. I could have heard the story wrong but it was in a 1999 issue of Sports Illustrated. Interesting.

I met Mike Piazza once down here, and he didn't come on to me, so he can't be gay. wink

I read an article about Posh Spice once that said that her husband constantly went around pointing out to her that he was a gay-sex symbol and he loved it!

NJ

I've heard that, too, about David Bekham...

Tino Martinez, while playing for the Yankees was asked about the number of postings by gay men about him... he said (and I paraphrase since it has been a while) "It does not bother me, although I would prefer they be my fans for my ability."

I am a BIG fan for both reasons... even if he is a Devil Ray now.

Has Outsports ever attempted to do an interview with any type of 'pro' athlet that wasn't gay? Obviously there are some that would definitely not do it, but I would think there would be plenty out there that would do one. I think it'd be interesting............but I don't know if there's access to contact these fellas.

About a decade ago, on opening day at Dodger Stadium, one of the local tv sportsguys asked a number of women which Dodger they thought hot & why. Many mentioned Piazza's butt, so the reporter asked Piazza how he liked that assessment. Piazza, laughing, said he understood that some guys also liked his butt and it was fine with him "whatever floats your boat."

~Adam

I got up close and personal with Adam Laroche's butt this weekend (but alas.. not in THAT way)
let me tell you... it was divine!