We want you all to vote on the top story of 2002.It would also be great if you justified your choice.

Thanks!

I voted for Mike Piazza announcing his heterosexuality. I would have voted for Esara Tualo had he been more of a name and the story made more than a ripple in the media pool. But the Piazza fiasco gave us far more insight into the Gays in Sports issue, or at least men's team sports. Imagine the media firestorm had Piazza or someone of equal stature actually been gay. The debates on the issue were heated enough with the player just being rumored to be gay. We've got a looooong way to go folks!

Yeah, what George_vikingfan said. I voted for Mike.

I voted for Esera's coming out, but voting for the Piazza story is certainly valid.

I voted for Esera because I think that in such a physical sport such as football, it more than woke up people who have long associated feminine qualities with homosexual men. It was a difficult choice, only because baseball has always been America's past-time, thus represents(identifies) a wider range of American people, but (and I know this is wordy) statistics have shown that both football and baseball have lost their appeal as a past-time. I think Piazza was hype and Esera was for real...more of a human interest story and more accurate portrayal of what it's like in sport for gay's.

Another vote for Esera.

I voted for Esera simply because I'd rather stress the postive over the negative. Piazza's sexuality was way overhyped by both the media and the gay press. Shockey and Hearst are morons. The Gay Games and Sue Wick's story are fantastic stories but Esera's coming out puts one more surprising face on what it looks like to be gay. Amen, brother!

I'm tempted to go with a non-nominated story of the Brendon Lemon fake or not fake baseball playing boyfriend, only because that player is still playing supposedly. But since he either doesn't exist or wouldn't come out, I'll go with Esera. And give Piazza a vote for biggest dumbass. Who holds a press conference to say you are not something that no one ever said you were? Loser.

Well, you all have spoken on what is the top story.