Full Version: Tuaolo Addresses NFL
I wrote an article on Esera Tuaolo addressing NFL employees on being gay. Also included comments from San Francisco 49ers on their diversity training session.
Great article ... far from utopia, but definitely a sign of progress.
[ July 08, 2004, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: danimal ]
[ July 08, 2004, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: danimal ]
In my opinion this is a grand slam in the gay rights movement.
It comes early in the game but it is one that we cannot afford to lose.
I am not surprised Tuaolo was stunned by the invitation. I wish it had happened long ago too. Better a little late than never. Kudos to all: Esera, the NFL and all the other activists.
It comes early in the game but it is one that we cannot afford to lose.
I am not surprised Tuaolo was stunned by the invitation. I wish it had happened long ago too. Better a little late than never. Kudos to all: Esera, the NFL and all the other activists.
So this is why Jim was in NYC in late June. Nice article and especially like the inclusion of the 49ers diversity training parts. I imagine that it all helps to bring down the barriers just a little bit more, until at least we can see over them.
One editing note, in the diversity section you write that players "came out", but a better phrase would be 'came away'. Don't you think?
One editing note, in the diversity section you write that players "came out", but a better phrase would be 'came away'. Don't you think?
Great article, and great news, Jim. Hopefully these two things (Tuaolo's address and the 49'ers diversity training) will have a trickle down effect. That is, the acknowledgement and acceptance of gays in sports needs to start from the high school and college level, and continue as part of the rookie training.
Hopefully this issue will get more mainstream media attention, thanks to articles like this in Outsports.
A quick Google search turned up an article on the 49ers diversity training in the NY Times
Hopefully this issue will get more mainstream media attention, thanks to articles like this in Outsports.
A quick Google search turned up an article on the 49ers diversity training in the NY Times
QUOTE
For the next two and a half hours, two strangers presented the 49ers with a seminar on diversity, including race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. They saw an instructional film from the 1970's, in which blue-eyed students were told to pick on brown-eyed students. During part of the seminar, the players were asked to call out the names of celebrities of different races and sexual orientations.
. . .
\"It was powerful,\" Heard said. \"It broke up cliques and brought us together as a team.\"
Cedrick Wilson, a wide receiver, agreed.
\"At first, a lot of the guys wanted to go home, but it was an awesome class,\" he said. \"You got a chance to meet and greet different guys on the team, guys you had met before but not really found out about what he and his family have gone through.\"
. . .
Last week, Esera Tuaolo, who retired in 1999 after nine seasons as an N.F.L. offensive lineman and who revealed in 2002 that he is gay, spoke to nearly 200 N.F.L. employees at the league office in Manhattan about his life as a professional athlete.
Tuaolo encouraged the league to put out a message of tolerance and acceptance so that a gay player could feel comfortable discussing his sexual orientation and still coexist in an N.F.L. locker room.
Aiello said the league might target its rookie symposium, which all incoming players must attend, as a way to promote tolerance.
\"We are clearly evaluating that idea and how it can be done,\" he said.
. . .
\"It was powerful,\" Heard said. \"It broke up cliques and brought us together as a team.\"
Cedrick Wilson, a wide receiver, agreed.
\"At first, a lot of the guys wanted to go home, but it was an awesome class,\" he said. \"You got a chance to meet and greet different guys on the team, guys you had met before but not really found out about what he and his family have gone through.\"
. . .
Last week, Esera Tuaolo, who retired in 1999 after nine seasons as an N.F.L. offensive lineman and who revealed in 2002 that he is gay, spoke to nearly 200 N.F.L. employees at the league office in Manhattan about his life as a professional athlete.
Tuaolo encouraged the league to put out a message of tolerance and acceptance so that a gay player could feel comfortable discussing his sexual orientation and still coexist in an N.F.L. locker room.
Aiello said the league might target its rookie symposium, which all incoming players must attend, as a way to promote tolerance.
\"We are clearly evaluating that idea and how it can be done,\" he said.
Great article, Jim. Baby steps but this could be a sign that they are moving in the right direction. Thanks again, Jim.
QUOTE
One editing note, in the diversity section you write that players \"came out\", but a better phrase would be 'came away'. Don't you think?
Fixed. I think my brain always types "out" after "came" when discussing gay issues. 
The article on Esera Tuaolo’s speech at NFL headquarters was very interesting. I must say, however, that as glad as we are for Tuaolo’s invitation, this situation raises a few questions. First, if the NFL is really turning over a new leaf and including gays in its diversity programs, why was Tagliabue not in attendance? This question is all the more valid considering that the date of the speech was set by the league and the function was held at league headquarters. If the NFL were making a truly groundbreaking policy change, Tuaolo would have been invited to address the league’s assembled brass at its annual meeting.
The second question is where is the NFL going from here, i.e., what’s the planned follow up? Is Tuaolo’s address merely a feel good speech, or does the league intend to effect genuine change? It’s nice to hear that the league is "studying" a rookie symposium, but when bureaucrats are "studying" a problem, it generally means they do not intend to address it. I would find more comfort in hearing that the league is drafting a gay-inclusive rookie symposium. That would at least indicate that a decision has been made by the NFL to address the issue, even if only partially.
Lastly, we have to wonder has the league decided to practice equality rather than merely talk about diversity? Does the NFL intend to move forward and establish domestic partnership benefits concerning pensions, health insurance, etc.? That is the true test of whether the league is prepared to put its money where its mouth is.
Even if we assume that only 5% of its players are gay, that means there are a minimum of 85 gays in the NFL right now. That’s more than sufficient for the league to be able to establish meaningful programs. Time will tell as to how serious the NFL is regarding equality for its gay players.
The second question is where is the NFL going from here, i.e., what’s the planned follow up? Is Tuaolo’s address merely a feel good speech, or does the league intend to effect genuine change? It’s nice to hear that the league is "studying" a rookie symposium, but when bureaucrats are "studying" a problem, it generally means they do not intend to address it. I would find more comfort in hearing that the league is drafting a gay-inclusive rookie symposium. That would at least indicate that a decision has been made by the NFL to address the issue, even if only partially.
Lastly, we have to wonder has the league decided to practice equality rather than merely talk about diversity? Does the NFL intend to move forward and establish domestic partnership benefits concerning pensions, health insurance, etc.? That is the true test of whether the league is prepared to put its money where its mouth is.
Even if we assume that only 5% of its players are gay, that means there are a minimum of 85 gays in the NFL right now. That’s more than sufficient for the league to be able to establish meaningful programs. Time will tell as to how serious the NFL is regarding equality for its gay players.
Agree with everyone else - great article and great news, Jim.
But I really agree with you DownLow, that the league has to follow up with more than one diversity training session to show they are really changing on this issue.
But let's face it, the league is going to have to deal with a huge amount of ingrained homophobia in its players, coaches and front office staff. Culturally, I think the biggest step the league could take right now is a mere acknowledgement that there are gay members of team staffs (a la the 49ers' former trainer) and that there MUST be gay players closeted within the team ranks. I think it would be amazing if one league official, and it would be best coming from Tagliabue, simply stated "we know we have gay players, we know they are dealing with huge challenges playing in this league, and we want to do our best by them." Making the league officially welcoming to gay players is a necessary, though hardly sufficient first step.
I also would love to see more players be openly supportive of gay people and gay players - I mean, there have to be current NFL players with gay siblings, cousins, uncles, etc., who are actually accepting of them. I don't think the homophobia of the league will really begin to change until straight guys start acting like it's not a big deal to play with a gay teammate.
But I really agree with you DownLow, that the league has to follow up with more than one diversity training session to show they are really changing on this issue.
But let's face it, the league is going to have to deal with a huge amount of ingrained homophobia in its players, coaches and front office staff. Culturally, I think the biggest step the league could take right now is a mere acknowledgement that there are gay members of team staffs (a la the 49ers' former trainer) and that there MUST be gay players closeted within the team ranks. I think it would be amazing if one league official, and it would be best coming from Tagliabue, simply stated "we know we have gay players, we know they are dealing with huge challenges playing in this league, and we want to do our best by them." Making the league officially welcoming to gay players is a necessary, though hardly sufficient first step.
I also would love to see more players be openly supportive of gay people and gay players - I mean, there have to be current NFL players with gay siblings, cousins, uncles, etc., who are actually accepting of them. I don't think the homophobia of the league will really begin to change until straight guys start acting like it's not a big deal to play with a gay teammate.
I think orientation specifically targeted at rookies is a great idea. It should be instituted with full support from the top of the NFL and the union. The young players need a message from the institution and from the veterans that all players have equal rights, a hallmark of unionism and our values as a nation. Wasn't Jackie Robinson's breakthrough before Truman's desegregation of the Armed Forces? This could be a groundbreaking move by the NFL to promote justice for the gay community.
A critical difference is that Robinson had no real choice about the color of his skin. Gays in the NFL have a choice about whether or not to be honest with the world about who they are. Pretense and denial have become national pasttimes on the order of being a coach potatoe so individual action is highly unlikely.
Given that situation the reverse will have to happen this time. The military will probably have to be "integrated" first.
[ July 12, 2004, 03:46 AM: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
A critical difference is that Robinson had no real choice about the color of his skin. Gays in the NFL have a choice about whether or not to be honest with the world about who they are. Pretense and denial have become national pasttimes on the order of being a coach potatoe so individual action is highly unlikely.
Given that situation the reverse will have to happen this time. The military will probably have to be "integrated" first.
[ July 12, 2004, 03:46 AM: Message edited by: sportinlife ]
If it looks like ... quacks like ... waddles like...
Well, y'all get the point.
This is pure PR, lip-service bullshit from the NFL. The top-tiered brass of the NFL are primarily concerned about one thing -- MONEY -- and to a lesser degree, public image (OK, that's kinda two things but stay with me anyway). Considering, particularly in this instance, that the latter can affect the "bottomline" of the former, those eternal, soul-less, opportunist in NYC are just going through the motions of appearing "gay concerned" to increase their potential marketability(PROFIT POTENTIAL) and appeal among the corresponding demographic. They no more have any sincere desire to see their privileged bastion of homophobia dismantled than they would treasure seeing the Manning brothers join the Taliban. I think DownLowNY (we can get into the implications and psychology of that SN in a whole 'nother thread)made an excellent observation with regard to the significance of Tagliabue's absence from this "ground-breaking" symposium.
MEMO to to Tags: Not err'body missed that flip of your middle finger, homie.
The profiteers over at the NFL want to have their time-outs and instant-replay challenges too... They want to keep their machismo, testosterone, homo-intolerant, mass bling-bling saturated Sunday afternoon GOD, while they simultaneously reap in the gay "please LOVE me" dollars and spit shine their "negative" gay image.
Hmmm... Now how does one go about achieving such a dichotic goal?...
Eureka! I've got it!... You hold a policy impotent symposium, lacking any REAL movers and shakers within your organization, invite some EX, non-active (read NON-threatening), now-formally-out gay player to speak and articulate on some of the real issues, and -- most significant -- you crow very loudly about all you're "doing" in the press... Yeah, that's the ticket.
Sorry, fellas... I'll believe this was a significant, sincere overture by the NFL when I see some concrete substance -- in the form of some kind of implementable policy -- in the official organizational manifesto (whatever the hell that is).
BTW, I discuss stuff like this everyday on my Internet-radio talk show at NewBlackCity.com 7 - 10am every Mon - Fri... Please tune in guys, if at all convenient.
[ July 25, 2004, 02:25 PM: Message edited by: Lil J ]
Well, y'all get the point.
This is pure PR, lip-service bullshit from the NFL. The top-tiered brass of the NFL are primarily concerned about one thing -- MONEY -- and to a lesser degree, public image (OK, that's kinda two things but stay with me anyway). Considering, particularly in this instance, that the latter can affect the "bottomline" of the former, those eternal, soul-less, opportunist in NYC are just going through the motions of appearing "gay concerned" to increase their potential marketability(PROFIT POTENTIAL) and appeal among the corresponding demographic. They no more have any sincere desire to see their privileged bastion of homophobia dismantled than they would treasure seeing the Manning brothers join the Taliban. I think DownLowNY (we can get into the implications and psychology of that SN in a whole 'nother thread)made an excellent observation with regard to the significance of Tagliabue's absence from this "ground-breaking" symposium.
MEMO to to Tags: Not err'body missed that flip of your middle finger, homie.
The profiteers over at the NFL want to have their time-outs and instant-replay challenges too... They want to keep their machismo, testosterone, homo-intolerant, mass bling-bling saturated Sunday afternoon GOD, while they simultaneously reap in the gay "please LOVE me" dollars and spit shine their "negative" gay image.
Hmmm... Now how does one go about achieving such a dichotic goal?...
Eureka! I've got it!... You hold a policy impotent symposium, lacking any REAL movers and shakers within your organization, invite some EX, non-active (read NON-threatening), now-formally-out gay player to speak and articulate on some of the real issues, and -- most significant -- you crow very loudly about all you're "doing" in the press... Yeah, that's the ticket.
Sorry, fellas... I'll believe this was a significant, sincere overture by the NFL when I see some concrete substance -- in the form of some kind of implementable policy -- in the official organizational manifesto (whatever the hell that is).
BTW, I discuss stuff like this everyday on my Internet-radio talk show at NewBlackCity.com 7 - 10am every Mon - Fri... Please tune in guys, if at all convenient.
[ July 25, 2004, 02:25 PM: Message edited by: Lil J ]
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