Steve Francis seems beside himself that his friend and teammate of six years was traded.

How close were these two friends?

When I first read Cyd's comment my initial reaction was that was very sophmoric and gossip-mongering (and highly unlike what we are accustomed to seeing from either of Outsports' esteemed co-founders) but after reading this quote from Francis it does make you wonder:

"I can't put into words. Playing with a guy, living with a guy, just knowing that every day when I wake up that's something I can count on, that I'm going to be in practice or in a game with Cuttino. Him not being here is going to be tough for me. I don't know what I'm going to wake up for."

Stevie has never set off my gaydar in the least but anything's possible, I suppose....perhaps we can ask a former member of the Magic (and a teammate of Francis' in Houston, albeit briefly) whose sexual orientation is hardly a secret whether or not there is any truth to this speculation. wink

~Joe

[ January 11, 2005, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: gamecock ]

This reminds me of the rumors re: Russ Frances of the '49ers several years ago. Whate'er happened to him, BTW?

Cyd is by no means the only person to ask that question. As a matter of fact, many people are in light of this week's trade drama. Steve Francis' near hysterical reaction to the trade has rekindled a lot of the longstanding rumors about the “special relationship” between him and Cuttino Mobley.

Steve Francis is cute but never rang my gaydar for some reason. He seems to have had enough distractions in his life to explain his tendency to form close dependencies. In this article alone he has bounced around a lot in his career before playing at Maryland, then lost his mother to cancer during his senior year - pretty traumatic I'd say. Regardless of his sexuality, I hope he doesn't develop unhealthy dependencies.

Why can't straight men have close relationships with other men without being deemed "potentially gay"....and the finger is usually pointed by gay men....the same gay men that want a "deep understanding" between all men. :confused: :confused: :confused:

NJ

I know nothing about these two guys except what I've read here and the posted article. But this tabloid level speculation about their friendship is misquided and basically disrepectful.

Is the goal here to out professional athletes? To try and pressure them? To speculate about their sexuality just because they're close and emotional towards one another?
This is what makes people so uncomfortable with the gays in sports thing.

[ January 14, 2005, 07:22 PM: Message edited by: Bryan ]

I know. Every time an actor or athlete's sexuality is in question, you can bet it was likely started by a gay man.

And when someone like Mel Gibson, responds negatively after being asked for the umpteenth time, "are you gay?", then he is saddled with the homophobe label.

"Is the goal here to out professional athletes? To try and pressure them? To speculate about their sexuality just because they're close and emotional towards one another?"

I totally understand what Steve Francis is going through. After serving 4yrs in the military, you can't help but develop those close personal bonds (nonsexual) btwn friends. The camaraderie is strong and then it's a shock when it's broken; that person you did everything with, your personal confidant is now gone. When you receive orders, sometimes it's an immediate departure. If you're lucky, you can go out and have a few rounds and try to have a good send-off, but in most cases you don't.

The guy was emotionally shaken b/c of the way the trade happened. 30 minutes b4 a game you find out your best friend on the team is shipped out of town. It can be very tough.