God, please let it be Robert Smith.
C.J.: Who's the gay NFLer about to come out? I may know
Full Version: An ex-Viking to come out on HBO?
It's not. I have a friend who can remember the sequence of plays of entire series of NFL games that happened in 1971 and he's never heard of him. He told me the name but I honestly can't remember it (it's a foreign sounding name, not Joe Jones or anything like that).
When is the HBO show on?
When is the HBO show on?
1971?
I read somewhere (maybe Tom Hoffarth in the LA Daily News) the episode of "Real Sports" is scheduled for 10/29, with the player being interviewed not by Gumbel (as the C.J. article states) but by Bernard Goldberg.
~Adam
~Adam
Cyd told us about this last week. He said it's not someone we ever heard of.
[quote]Originally posted by PCC:
God, please let it be Robert Smith.
His name came right to my mind when I saw the topic, before even clicking on to read these messages.
God, please let it be Robert Smith.
His name came right to my mind when I saw the topic, before even clicking on to read these messages.
I don't know his name but an ex-Viking from a South Pacific Island is co-owner (with his boyfriend) of the salon that I used to go to in Edina (a suburb of Minneapolis). This was told to me by the women who cut my hair at that salon. That would make him her boss so I would assume she knows what she's talking about. Don't know if he's the guy coming out on ESPN but the probability is high. Just to add some credibility the name of the Salon is "Spalon Montage".
I can't believe I missed this news! Well, I for one will be watching...
Do we know if the salon owner is the ex-Viking that's coming out? I'm sure there are multiple gay players who are ex-Vikings.
According to that Star-Tribune link the player is someone with another career interst that hasn't taken off. If this CJ is to be taken seriously, I get the impression that that career wouldn't be as a salon owner. The wording of the statement would imply that the career is somehow more prestigious.
[ October 21, 2002: Message edited by: PCC ]
According to that Star-Tribune link the player is someone with another career interst that hasn't taken off. If this CJ is to be taken seriously, I get the impression that that career wouldn't be as a salon owner. The wording of the statement would imply that the career is somehow more prestigious.
[ October 21, 2002: Message edited by: PCC ]
[quote]Originally posted by PCC:
If this CJ is to be taken seriously,
Is CJ ever to be taken seriously? Not living in the region, I have not point of reference for this columnist's overall trustworthiness or veracity.
[ October 21, 2002: Message edited by: jqueer ]
If this CJ is to be taken seriously,
Is CJ ever to be taken seriously? Not living in the region, I have not point of reference for this columnist's overall trustworthiness or veracity.
[ October 21, 2002: Message edited by: jqueer ]
Robert Smith is stunning, smart and quit playing football for a while in college (was it Ohio State) to focus on his studies. The Vikings haven't been the same since he retired.
This C.J. cites Marshall Faulk's stupid comment, but I have to say this (and I like Faulk, who plays for my Rams): Marshall, you definitely have sugar in *your* tank and this fact is obvious every time you're interviewed, so you really should not be slamming gay or bi players.
One of these days soon, some NFLer is just going to forgo the drama and just come out!
This C.J. cites Marshall Faulk's stupid comment, but I have to say this (and I like Faulk, who plays for my Rams): Marshall, you definitely have sugar in *your* tank and this fact is obvious every time you're interviewed, so you really should not be slamming gay or bi players.
One of these days soon, some NFLer is just going to forgo the drama and just come out!
PCC, yeah, this friend is uncanny. True story: he had a job on the edges of the NFL and when the NFL got confused about the whole "If the Vikings lose, the Packers need to only win at Chicago by 8 points to clinch the homefield advantage. Except....." kind of playoff scenario stuff, they called him. I *thought* my brain was stuffed with trivia relating to rock bands but my pal is waaay beyond that.
[ October 22, 2002: Message edited by: Jim at Outsports ]
[ October 22, 2002: Message edited by: Jim at Outsports ]
I'm surprised that Marshall Faulk's homophobic comments haven't generated more negative publicity (at least not yet) -- the anti-gay venom spewing from Faulk's mouth seems to me to be very similar to Jeremy Shockey's mindless diatribe on Howard Stern last month....I, for one, have lost TOTAL respect for this a**hole and I hope he and the Rams organization suffers for this bigotry ...it will certainly be interesting to see if Mike Martz and the St. Louis organization makes any statements in response or takes any action against Faulk for his indefensible comments (the latter course of action is doubtful IMHO considering the "caliber" of player we are dealing with here -- it's unfortunate but I think the reality of the matter is that the reaction would be vastly different if these comments were attributed to someone who was merely a second-string player).
Since his statement is scheduled to appear in the November issue of Playboy (which presumably hasn't hit the newsstands yet -- it's not like I'm shopping for Playboy very often ) hopefully once widespread publicity spreads about Faulk's moronic views he and the Rams organization, at the very least, will be forced to make a sincere, heartfelt apology (unlike Shockey's joke of an "apology" as Cyd accurately identified last month).....For Faulk to say "I could see coming out to make a statement if the league had a rule that gays couldn't play or something like that. But that's not the case. So shut up" is incredibly closed minded, especially coming from a minority.
What would Faulk think if another "well known" player made similar comments today related to blacks and emphasized that African Americans should NEVER discuss or bring up their race in any context?....no doubt, the nationwide reaction to such racism would be widespread and immediate!....let's hope that Marshall is taught a lesson and that he PAYS SEVERELY for his indefensible comments for the remainder of his career!
[ October 22, 2002: Message edited by: gamecock ]
Since his statement is scheduled to appear in the November issue of Playboy (which presumably hasn't hit the newsstands yet -- it's not like I'm shopping for Playboy very often ) hopefully once widespread publicity spreads about Faulk's moronic views he and the Rams organization, at the very least, will be forced to make a sincere, heartfelt apology (unlike Shockey's joke of an "apology" as Cyd accurately identified last month).....For Faulk to say "I could see coming out to make a statement if the league had a rule that gays couldn't play or something like that. But that's not the case. So shut up" is incredibly closed minded, especially coming from a minority.
What would Faulk think if another "well known" player made similar comments today related to blacks and emphasized that African Americans should NEVER discuss or bring up their race in any context?....no doubt, the nationwide reaction to such racism would be widespread and immediate!....let's hope that Marshall is taught a lesson and that he PAYS SEVERELY for his indefensible comments for the remainder of his career!
[ October 22, 2002: Message edited by: gamecock ]
Ok, I'll bite. How about British Columbia Lion Carl Kidd who dropped out of football after being cut by the Vikings and taught school for a while?
The article doesn't say he's not playing football at all right?
Certainly somebody most of us might not have heard of, despite his propensity for self-promotion, since he's been cut by the both the Raiders and Cheifs.
The article doesn't say he's not playing football at all right?
Certainly somebody most of us might not have heard of, despite his propensity for self-promotion, since he's been cut by the both the Raiders and Cheifs.
OK, I guess that I have been living under a rock. When did Marshall supposedly make this statement. I happen to be a big Marshall Faulk fan, and I cannot believe he would make a derogatory statement about any group of people. He is perceived throughout the NFL to be one of the more intelligent, classiest players in the game. If indeed he did say this, I will have lost an incredible amount of respect for him.
No, you definitely haven't been living under a rock Ron....I just heard about the statement (which apparently is scheduled to appear in the November issue of Playboy) for the first time today....I'm typically not one to rush to judgement but, if that quote is accurate, Marshall has some SERIOUS explaining to do -- like I said earlier, I'll be VERY interested to see what comments he and/or the Rams organization make once the national publicity inevitably follows and in relation to the media frenzy that accompanied Jeremy Shockey's homophobic comments....I certainly hope that Faulk doesn't try to blame his "temporary" bigotry upon the Rams 0-5 start and try to attribute it to "stress" and "mental fatigue".
My landlord gave me a copy of Playboy the other day, I guess he got two of them in the mail, and as I was leaving the house today I noticed that the cover says something about Marshal Falk on it, so I may have to read some Playboy for the first time in a long time. I'll report back after I read it.
[quote]Originally posted by gamecock:
I, for one, have lost TOTAL respect for this a**hole and I hope he and the Rams organization suffers for this bigotry ....no doubt, the nationwide reaction to such racism would be widespread and immediate!....let's hope that Marshall is taught a lesson and that he PAYS SEVERELY for his indefensible comments for the remainder of his career!
Whoa! Let's not bring race into this discussion, okay? When the media hear Faulk's comments, they'll either go after him like Shockey or they'll play them down because he's one of the best backs of all time. I think his comments are indefensible whatever his color, and grossly ignorant. I plan to write him a letter and send e-mails to tell him so.
As I said above, Marshall Faulk comes off as possibly gay, and I wouldn't be surprised if his homophobia arises out of repressed homosexuality, even if he's never been with men. His thoughts, however, do square with more than few straight men I know (including my father), who just wish homosexuals would not open their mouths about who we are and what we're doing. It's ridiculous and idiotic.
I, for one, have lost TOTAL respect for this a**hole and I hope he and the Rams organization suffers for this bigotry ....no doubt, the nationwide reaction to such racism would be widespread and immediate!....let's hope that Marshall is taught a lesson and that he PAYS SEVERELY for his indefensible comments for the remainder of his career!
Whoa! Let's not bring race into this discussion, okay? When the media hear Faulk's comments, they'll either go after him like Shockey or they'll play them down because he's one of the best backs of all time. I think his comments are indefensible whatever his color, and grossly ignorant. I plan to write him a letter and send e-mails to tell him so.
As I said above, Marshall Faulk comes off as possibly gay, and I wouldn't be surprised if his homophobia arises out of repressed homosexuality, even if he's never been with men. His thoughts, however, do square with more than few straight men I know (including my father), who just wish homosexuals would not open their mouths about who we are and what we're doing. It's ridiculous and idiotic.
[quote]Originally posted by MSUBobcat:
My landlord gave me a copy of Playboy the other day, I guess he got two of them in the mail,
A likely story. "My landlord gave it to me." Riiiiiiiiiight. Next I suppose you'll be telling us you only read it for the articles!
My landlord gave me a copy of Playboy the other day, I guess he got two of them in the mail,
A likely story. "My landlord gave it to me." Riiiiiiiiiight. Next I suppose you'll be telling us you only read it for the articles!
This might belong in a thread of its own, but I've been a subscriber to Playboy for over 20 years, and really, I read it for the articles and editorials. It's a very gay-friendly magazine. The Playboy Foundation contributes to gay legal defense funds. The whole "Playboy Philosophy" is that if it feels good and it's between consenting adults, it's no one's business to tell us not to do it ..... not the right-wingers', not the church's and not the government's. And besides, with more gay guys in the world, it just leaves more p*ssy for them! Oh, and of course they love watching women together.
I've got the new issue on my kitchen counter but haven't read it yet, will try to do so and report back.
Now back to the subject of the thread...
I've got the new issue on my kitchen counter but haven't read it yet, will try to do so and report back.
Now back to the subject of the thread...
Very interesting. You see, I think my LandLord is Gay. He's about 40 something, single, owns a nice boat, and a house, and a 4 plex. Never has any women around his house. He plays hand ball with a group of single guys out at the gym, and last night he made a comment about going on a cruise, and how he didn't get to go because of his job, and becuase a buddy of his he was goin to go with, had his plans jacked too. Then the other day, the cable guy showed up, and he was gorgeous, 6'2" 34x36 levis, and a denim shirt, late 30's early 40's, and he had a goatee. I'm talking gorgeous, and man did he fill out those Levis, I almost jumped him right there in my living room. Anyway, back to the story, this guy, with no wedding ring, asked me if my landlord was still single. I was like, ummmm ya, and this guy just kind of laughed and went on fixing my cable. It was a very strange afternoon to say the least.
Anyway, back to the original topic. I thought the playboy thing was my landlord's one cue that he could be straight, and now that I've read this thread, I realize that it doesn't mean that. Maybe I should see if I can get some money off my rent. he he he.
Anyway, back to the original topic. I thought the playboy thing was my landlord's one cue that he could be straight, and now that I've read this thread, I realize that it doesn't mean that. Maybe I should see if I can get some money off my rent. he he he.
[quote]When the media hear Faulk's comments, they'll either go after him like Shockey or they'll play them down because he's one of the best backs of all time
Or: they'll play them down because he's black and the overwhelmingly white sports writing world would be wary of being accused of having a racist agenda. I'm not endorsing that view, just pointing out a possible ramification of it.
And I think Gamecock's point was that in these cases, if we substituted "black" or "Latino" or "Jewish" for "gay" in the persons remarks--jeez, enough quotation marks there?--the outcry would be much greater. I get the feeling that Faulk's comment--and I really want to see the full context of the remarks--will be a non-event. Of course, if there's 5 pages of comments about it and the board has hetero's signing up just to defend them...........
It'll be interesting to see if Marshall Faulk gets asked about his comments when the ex-Viking player comes out on Real Sports.
MSUBobcat, what kind of apartment building do you live in? It sounds more a like a Palm Springs orgy hotel!
Or: they'll play them down because he's black and the overwhelmingly white sports writing world would be wary of being accused of having a racist agenda. I'm not endorsing that view, just pointing out a possible ramification of it.
And I think Gamecock's point was that in these cases, if we substituted "black" or "Latino" or "Jewish" for "gay" in the persons remarks--jeez, enough quotation marks there?--the outcry would be much greater. I get the feeling that Faulk's comment--and I really want to see the full context of the remarks--will be a non-event. Of course, if there's 5 pages of comments about it and the board has hetero's signing up just to defend them...........
It'll be interesting to see if Marshall Faulk gets asked about his comments when the ex-Viking player comes out on Real Sports.
MSUBobcat, what kind of apartment building do you live in? It sounds more a like a Palm Springs orgy hotel!
[quote]Originally posted by MSUBobcat:
Maybe I should see if I can get some money off my rent. he he he.
Better still, work in a couple of sex scenes ad write a porno novel...based on actual events of course. That should help with the rent.
[ October 23, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
Maybe I should see if I can get some money off my rent. he he he.
Better still, work in a couple of sex scenes ad write a porno novel...based on actual events of course. That should help with the rent.
[ October 23, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
It's Esera Tuaolo. I really have never heard of him.
Former Falcon to reveal he's gay in TV interview
Former Falcon to reveal he's gay in TV interview
I don't really think Marshall Faulk said anything "homo phobic" at all! He just gave his oppinion about "coming out" Just play the game! Your sex life should be of no matter! That is the message as I got it! That is the message I agree with as well!
And as soon as MVP's stop thaning their wives, girlfriends and the last hooker they slept with, your sex life will be of no consequence in football. When the wives association stops putting out that awful annual cookbook, your sex life will be of no consequence in football. Heterosexuals make a big deal about who they sleep with everyday. If they can't take a bit of that from the queers, then they're the ones with misapplied priorities.
Well, it turns out that this gay ex-pro is Hawaiian. Nice!!
I'll be very interested in anything he might have to say about growing up gay in HI to join pro football.
I'll be very interested in anything he might have to say about growing up gay in HI to join pro football.
[quote] And as soon as MVP's stop thaning their wives, girlfriends and the last hooker they slept with, your sex life will be of no consequence in football. When the wives association stops putting out that awful annual cookbook, your sex life will be of no consequence in football. Heterosexuals make a big deal about who they sleep with everyday. If they can't take a bit of that from the queers, then they're the ones with misapplied priorities.
It's not just who they sleep with. When "Christian" athletes kneel down to pray after every touchdown or sack, they are broadcasting their religion/belief system. I would love Marshall Faulk to try and explain to his teammates what he did last weekend without revealing who he's sleeping with - What's sauce of for the goose is sauce for the gander.
It's not just who they sleep with. When "Christian" athletes kneel down to pray after every touchdown or sack, they are broadcasting their religion/belief system. I would love Marshall Faulk to try and explain to his teammates what he did last weekend without revealing who he's sleeping with - What's sauce of for the goose is sauce for the gander.
More on his voice:
a passage from an old St. Pete Times article about singers in NFL.
Minnesota Viking Esera Tuaolo, who actually plans to pursue
a music career. The 6-foot-3 Tuaolo
has a gorgeous voice,
kind of falsetto and fluttery like
that of another big guy, Aaron
Neville.
a passage from an old St. Pete Times article about singers in NFL.
Minnesota Viking Esera Tuaolo, who actually plans to pursue
a music career. The 6-foot-3 Tuaolo
has a gorgeous voice,
kind of falsetto and fluttery like
that of another big guy, Aaron
Neville.
falsetto, huh? it figures.
On the onset, the "Just shut up about it and play ball" doctrine that Mr. Faulk expressed does not sound homophobic or oppressive.
Just stick to the game...no distractions...that's sound great...
BUT!!!being hetrosexual is the default assumption and no one shuts up about it. It's all over. We all know how a men's lockerroom can be, the wife/girlfriend talk, the sex talk, and the fag jokes. It all takes place with the assumption that every guy in the room is hetrosexual.
For anyone to say that gay men should "shut up about it"is attempting to rid themselves of our existance. No matter how you rationalize it, being told to shut up is devaluing you as a person. For people like Faulk, if you/the issue is quiet, out of sight, then the issue is not real, we are not real. Out of sight, out of mind, and then, you have the "there are no gay players on our team" belief/attitude takes hold.
Is there any doubt as to why any pro jock who's gay has reservations about coming out. Hopefully, the revelation in "Real Sports" is one more step is taken in the positive direction.
[ October 24, 2002: Message edited by: satxbuddy1 ]
Just stick to the game...no distractions...that's sound great...
BUT!!!being hetrosexual is the default assumption and no one shuts up about it. It's all over. We all know how a men's lockerroom can be, the wife/girlfriend talk, the sex talk, and the fag jokes. It all takes place with the assumption that every guy in the room is hetrosexual.
For anyone to say that gay men should "shut up about it"is attempting to rid themselves of our existance. No matter how you rationalize it, being told to shut up is devaluing you as a person. For people like Faulk, if you/the issue is quiet, out of sight, then the issue is not real, we are not real. Out of sight, out of mind, and then, you have the "there are no gay players on our team" belief/attitude takes hold.
Is there any doubt as to why any pro jock who's gay has reservations about coming out. Hopefully, the revelation in "Real Sports" is one more step is taken in the positive direction.
[ October 24, 2002: Message edited by: satxbuddy1 ]
Also, there are very few sports figures who want to just play the game. Everyone wants the endorsements, the interviews, and the fame that comes with it. If you're heterosexual, you're open to do all that, if you're gay, you're supposed to keep your private life private and give up on the extracurriculars.
Here's another link from ESPN.com on Esera Tuaolo. Supposedly Sterling Sharpe says in the "Real Sports" taping that Tuaolo would have been "eaten alive" if he'd come out!
The poor guy contemplated suicide he was in such despair....
The poor guy contemplated suicide he was in such despair....
Speaking of his voice--he's on the NFL Jams album, on a track called "Chasing Dreams" with Wu Tang Clan member GZA and Rob Report, and on another called "Get Down" (alright!) with Xscape, Ashley Ambrose, Chuck Smith and Michael Strahan (yumm!!!).
Here's an image from ESPN.com:
Here's an image from ESPN.com:
[quote]Supposedly Sterling Sharpe says in the "Real Sports" taping that Tuaolo would have been "eaten alive" if he'd come out!
Fantomas, why go to ESPN when we had our own story today?
Just watched the HBO segment and it's terrific. A full review this weekend.
[ October 24, 2002: Message edited by: Jim at Outsports ]
Fantomas, why go to ESPN when we had our own story today?
Just watched the HBO segment and it's terrific. A full review this weekend.
[ October 24, 2002: Message edited by: Jim at Outsports ]
The guy played for the Falcons when they went to the Super Bowl in 1998 but the sports paper here is ignoring it for the most part. Be interesting to see if his lack of notoriety weakens the wave potential. I mean 5 teams in 9 years pretty much makes you a nobody, then again Billy Bean was technically a nobody in sports, but he made quite the splash.
Z
Z
I don't know that moving around automatically makes you a nobody. I think Rickey Henderson might take issue with that!
I am curious though, if the frequent moves had anything to do with his homosexuality and management either knowing or suspecting?
I am curious though, if the frequent moves had anything to do with his homosexuality and management either knowing or suspecting?
msubobcat,
the real question is whether you are paying for cable. a friend i know ran into a cool lesbian cablewoman when he was leaving the house with his lover and things have been free since then.
it's all about the alternative sexual economy nowadays. we need to reinvest and take over. jay
the real question is whether you are paying for cable. a friend i know ran into a cool lesbian cablewoman when he was leaving the house with his lover and things have been free since then.
it's all about the alternative sexual economy nowadays. we need to reinvest and take over. jay
I don't remember Esera Tuaolo from his year on the Packers, either. A 35th round draft pick would have to have been quite a stand-out to get noticed.
As for Marshall Faulk, don't count on there being much pressure for him to apologize. When Reggie White made bigoted statements about gays and several ethnic groups in front of the Wisconsin statehouse, he was still as popular as ever with most people in Wisconsin. (He made an "I'm sorry if you misunderstood me" style apology to the ethnic groups.)
Tuaolo was probably better off being a Viking that year.
P.S.: He's an actor, too? He wasn't by any chance the Hawaiian-looking football player in the Southwest Airlines ad in which the ref didn't have a coin for the coin toss?
[ October 24, 2002: Message edited by: ToonDeft ]
As for Marshall Faulk, don't count on there being much pressure for him to apologize. When Reggie White made bigoted statements about gays and several ethnic groups in front of the Wisconsin statehouse, he was still as popular as ever with most people in Wisconsin. (He made an "I'm sorry if you misunderstood me" style apology to the ethnic groups.)
Tuaolo was probably better off being a Viking that year.
P.S.: He's an actor, too? He wasn't by any chance the Hawaiian-looking football player in the Southwest Airlines ad in which the ref didn't have a coin for the coin toss?
[ October 24, 2002: Message edited by: ToonDeft ]
Interesting stuff with this. Interesting piece in the Atlanta paper, where he used to play, at http://www.ajc.com/living/croft/index.html
[quote]Originally posted by LoveJavy:
Interesting stuff with this. Interesting piece in the Atlanta paper, where he used to play, at http://www.ajc.com/living/croft/index.html
I think it's unfortunate that he implies that Tualo is not the "handsome" football star that some expected. I, and I think others, might consider him quite attractive. And courage and intelligence make a guy more attractive.
I to hope he doesn't do a "Billy Bean" and try to discourage others from being honest.
Did the writer confuse Shannon Sharpe with Sterling Sharpe?
Interesting stuff with this. Interesting piece in the Atlanta paper, where he used to play, at http://www.ajc.com/living/croft/index.html
I think it's unfortunate that he implies that Tualo is not the "handsome" football star that some expected. I, and I think others, might consider him quite attractive. And courage and intelligence make a guy more attractive.
I to hope he doesn't do a "Billy Bean" and try to discourage others from being honest.
Did the writer confuse Shannon Sharpe with Sterling Sharpe?
I don't think anyone seeing the piece will come away with anything but admiration for Esera. We will have a full report on Sunday. Spoke with Bob Lipsyte of the NY Times, who will be writing on it Sunday. He always does a terrific job.
[quote]Originally posted by George_vikingfan:
...I am curious though, if the frequent moves had anything to do with his homosexuality and management either knowing or suspecting?
You make a very intersting observation George.
I wonder that myself too. Sort of like choosing the "gay guy" last at recess or P.E. No one knows for sure.. but ...
...I am curious though, if the frequent moves had anything to do with his homosexuality and management either knowing or suspecting?
You make a very intersting observation George.
I wonder that myself too. Sort of like choosing the "gay guy" last at recess or P.E. No one knows for sure.. but ...
I am sure there are many more high profile athletes that have not come out yet. I think that the straight athletes are afraid of more than anything is having to share a locker room with a gay person and that person being up close while they are in the buff. But if you are secure in your sexuality then it should not matter.And it is not like a person that is gay is attracted to every swinging pole that he comes in contact with there are other factors that come into play just like str8 relationships.
As for Shannon Sharpe's response, that this is something totally new, Hello Mr. Sharpe, what planet are you from, there are plenty of gay athletes on all sports teams. These airhead athletes must think that they are the sh@%. And that gay people want to poke them,when they bend over to pick up the soap,whatever. Talking about
uneducated in life. And they probably still think that AIDS is a gay disease. Sorry to go off like this, but when a pro athlete makes a stupid comment, it really gets me going.
uneducated in life. And they probably still think that AIDS is a gay disease. Sorry to go off like this, but when a pro athlete makes a stupid comment, it really gets me going.
[quote]Originally posted by speedy2therescue:
As for Shannon Sharpe's response, that this is something totally new,
I think what Sharpe was trying to say is that athletes coming out is a relatively new thing, and that when he and Tuaolo played together ten years ago, there wasn't much talk at all of gay men in sports, let alone in professional sports.
As for Shannon Sharpe's response, that this is something totally new,
I think what Sharpe was trying to say is that athletes coming out is a relatively new thing, and that when he and Tuaolo played together ten years ago, there wasn't much talk at all of gay men in sports, let alone in professional sports.
[quote]Originally posted by sportinlife:
I think it's unfortunate that he implies that Tualo is not the "handsome" football star that some expected. I, and I think others, might consider him quite attractive. And courage and intelligence make a guy more attractive.
Yes, the "handsome" comment does make me a bit... uneasy, too. Perhaps he doesn't mean it, but his commentary has a slight taint of "too bad it wasn't a good looking white guy (ie. he references the "handsome" and "marketable" Mike Piazza)."
In some ways this is a big positive because Tuaolo is a gay person of color, as well as a gay athlete... he's breaking two stereotypes at once.
I think it's unfortunate that he implies that Tualo is not the "handsome" football star that some expected. I, and I think others, might consider him quite attractive. And courage and intelligence make a guy more attractive.
Yes, the "handsome" comment does make me a bit... uneasy, too. Perhaps he doesn't mean it, but his commentary has a slight taint of "too bad it wasn't a good looking white guy (ie. he references the "handsome" and "marketable" Mike Piazza)."
In some ways this is a big positive because Tuaolo is a gay person of color, as well as a gay athlete... he's breaking two stereotypes at once.
What nerve Jay Croft has to suggest that Esera Tuaolo is not handsome! Esera could be my lineman any ole' time! And I'm sure plenty of people feel that way. Jay Croft is the one who has a face that only a mother can love. Croft's comments reek of ethnic or cultural superiority.
Oh, and it's not Shannon Sharpe who made the comments, but his older brother Sterling, a current ESPN commentator who actually played on the Vikings with Esera Tuaolo back in the day. Croft is coming across in this article as a ditzy gay man who knows little about sports, beyond who is cute and who is not.
[ October 25, 2002: Message edited by: YellaDawg ]
Oh, and it's not Shannon Sharpe who made the comments, but his older brother Sterling, a current ESPN commentator who actually played on the Vikings with Esera Tuaolo back in the day. Croft is coming across in this article as a ditzy gay man who knows little about sports, beyond who is cute and who is not.
[ October 25, 2002: Message edited by: YellaDawg ]
I agree, I think he's a great looking guy. I also am glad that he seems to have a stable life with adopted kids, etc. I think that's what people need to see for acceptance. I think it can go just as far as the coming out of a more recognizeable name.
Anyway, good for him, I'm looking forward to seeing the piece.
Anyway, good for him, I'm looking forward to seeing the piece.
Thanks for the clarification on Sterling Sharpe yellowdawg.
I wonder what brother Shannon thinks of Sterlings comments. Shannon has struck me as being open- minded and fairly tolerant, if occassionally bombastic and self-promoting.
(There was an interesting piece, I believe on ESPN, about the egoism of recievers - how they almost have to have the charcteristic of wanting the ball and the limelight to maintain the confidence to perform in that position. They often forget how difficult the QB and Coach's jobs are in calling the plays. But I digress...)
[ October 25, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
I wonder what brother Shannon thinks of Sterlings comments. Shannon has struck me as being open- minded and fairly tolerant, if occassionally bombastic and self-promoting.
(There was an interesting piece, I believe on ESPN, about the egoism of recievers - how they almost have to have the charcteristic of wanting the ball and the limelight to maintain the confidence to perform in that position. They often forget how difficult the QB and Coach's jobs are in calling the plays. But I digress...)
[ October 25, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
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