It’s time once again for Outsports to stop the clock for an instant reply of the week that was. It’s my 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. Whether they’re winners or losers depends on your perspective. Tell us how you feel in the comments!
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 our look at the week’s winners, losers and hopefuls.
Winners: Olympic hero Matthew Mitcham marries his partner in gold-medal ceremony
“The whole thing was so beautiful, I was crying for basically the entire ceremony,” said Mitcham. Check out the latest from Matt and Luke’s honeymoon, via Instagram:
Winners: She said, ‘Yes!’ Wheelchair basketball paralympians engaged
Great Britain’s Robyn Love popped the question in Paris to her teammate and girlfriend of 5 years, Laurie Williams.
Suspected Loser: University of Michigan team doctor allegedly traded military deferments for sex, accused of sexually abusing student athletes
A University of Michigan hotline has received more than 100 “unique complaints” about Dr. Robert E. Anderson, a late physician accused of sexual abuse by former patients, including both gay and straight athletes who encountered him as a team doctor.
Hopeful: Support grows for out LGBTQ student athletes on college campuses
Out LGBTQ student athletes at Swarthmore College in Penn., have formed a new student organization, joining a national conversation.
Winner: Engaged to the love of his life, gay former college swimmer still comes out each day
Mike Del Moro swam better after coming out at Tufts University, and a decade later realizes one never stops coming out.
Loser: Echo Fox says goodbye to eSports champion SonicFox
The Evo champion’s departure comes months after the apparent demise of the once prominent esports organization.
Hopeful: Out Eagles cheerleader Kyle Tanguay is living his ‘American Idol’ dream
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The first male Eagles cheerleader in 40 years made his long-awaited “American Idol” debut Sunday.
Winner: Plaintiff in anti-trans athlete lawsuit defeats transgender track rival twice in 8 days
Days after claiming competing with trans athletes was unfair, Chelsea Mitchell outran Terry Miller for the second straight week, winning a state overall title in Connecticut.
Potential Losers: Could the Olympics really be cancelled because of coronavirus?
The IOC is stuck in a bad situation with no good answer.
Hopeful: Joanna Harper on the research and science behind trans-athlete policies
Joanna Harper joins ‘Five Rings To Rule Them All’ with insight into Olympic trans policy and her important research project.
Winners: Miami Heat fans erupt in support of Zaya Wade
At retirement ceremonies for Dwyane Wade, Heat fans pay heartwarming tribute to his trans daughter through their spontaneous cheers.
Hopeful: This pic from the 76ers’ Pride Night gives us so much hope for the future
Signing a Pride Night rainbow banner is so simple and can say so much. Plus, watch Jason Collins ring the bell.
Hopeful: Jason Collins says there’s still ‘fear’ among closeted NBA players about coming out
In a recent interview, Collins explains why there hasn’t been another openly gay player in the NBA since he came out seven years ago.
Winner: Billy Bean’s regrets about his career fueled his desire to make MLB more inclusive
In an appearance on the Outsports LPF Podcast, Bean opens up about painful memories and missed opportunities during his time as an active player.
Winners and Losers: Anti-trans bills killed in New Hampshire and Idaho (but many others survive)
Legislation that would restrict the rights of trans Americans, including student athletes, is dead. But other bills continue to threaten those rights.
Winner: For British rower Kyra Edwards, being a source of representation is ‘an important message’
The 2020 Olympic hopeful takes pride in ‘being part of something bigger than myself’ for LGBTQ and black communities.
Hopeful: NCAA’s first publicly gay wrestler wants to dedicate life towards helping kids
Alec Donovan came out in Outsports five years ago. Since then, he’s embraced his role as a leader in the LGBTQ community, experiencing many ups and downs.
Winner: Out netball coach Sara Bayman wishes she was more open about sexuality earlier in her career
Bayman says she didn’t want to be defined by her sexuality, but now understands the power her voice carries.
Winner: Chelsea Gray re-signs with Los Angeles Sparks
The Sparks announced Friday the re-signing of point guard Chelsea Gray. In 2019, Gray averaged 14.5 points and career-highs of 5.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. She was named to the 2019 All-WNBA First Team and earned her third consecutive All-Star selection. And last November Gray married her girlfriend Tipesa Moorer.
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 outsports@gmail.com Thanks!
