Each week, Outsports stops the clock for an instant reply of the week that was. It’s our way of memorializing the glorious victories, the ignominious defeats, and the players and personalities who made them, lived them or just couldn’t avoid them.
I realize my roster may differ from yours, and I welcome your comments, contributions and critiques. I read them all! Details on how to reach me are below, after my look at the week’s winners, losers, and a team whose player’s health is undecided as of press time.
Winner: The new face of Everlast, Patricio Manuel
Transgender boxer Patricio Manuel makes history yet again, this time in a revealing Everlast campaign of boxing “trailblazers.”
Losers: Stanford coaches who allegedly cut gay swimmer Abrahm Devine
In an Instagram post, out gay NCAA championship swimmer Abrahm DeVine says Stanford University coaches dropped him because of homophobia.
Winner: Battle Club Pro’s Anything You Can Do
The all-intergender match event featured numerous LGBTQ wrestlers and showcased the evolution of inclusive pro wrestling.
Losers: US Magazine headline writers who shipped Adam Rippon and Gus Kenworthy
Gay Olympic medalist figure skater Adam Rippon displayed his usual charm and poise in the face of clickbait.
Winner: LGBTQ fans of the Chicago Wolves
The Chicago Wolves of the AHL will celebrate the LGBTQ community at the team’s first Pride Night on Oct. 19.
Potential Losers: Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne exited game 2 of the WNBA Finals early with a herniated disc. Will she be healthy enough to play in Game 3? That’s the biggest question before the best-of-five championship series resumes Sunday.
Winner: Out athlete Erica Bougard
When Erica Bougard wore rainbow-flapped Nikes to compete in anti-gay Qatar in the heptathlon — an event that combines performances in seven track and field events — she showed the power of visibility in the sports world.
Loser: Kentucky’s Republican governor and his transphobic supporters
In the race between Republican incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin and Democratic challenger Andy Beshear, a PAC-funded attack ad hits a new low by suggesting boys will transition just to win. The ad notes Beshear supports trans youth and urges viewers to “vote against” him.
Winner: Gay high school hockey player Anthony Aroni
Anthony Arnoni felt alone in the closet in Illinois until a YouTube video helped change his life and lead to experiences he never would have imagined, like being voted homecoming king.
Losers: The owners of the Houston Astros and Minute Maid Park
Houston is an outlier in being the only playoff team to not host a Pride event in 2019.
Winner: Bisexual Football player Christian Mays
Christian Mays has carried his determination and drive into a career in the Army.
Loser: Jake Hager and LGBTQ fans of the AEW
Trans wrestler Nyla Rose won over the crowd in a losing effort, while Jake Hager debuted fresh off tacitly endorsing transphobia.
That’s all for this week! I’ll bring you a fresh list of winners and losers next Saturday. Got a name I missed, or want to challenge my choices? Comment here or on Facebook or Instagram, tweet at us, message me via any social media, or just plain email me at [email protected] Thanks!
