John Amaechi, who played five seasons in the NBA, is coming out in a tell-all book that will also be coming out. He will become the first NBA player to ever announce he's openly gay. And there's an important distinction to make before I continue. When I say "gay" I don't mean it the way frat boys or a schoolyard bully throw this word around so casually as in, "quit being gay" or "hey, you shoot foul shots kind of gay." I mean it as in John Amaechi, the man pictured above shooting a foul shot, is a homosexual. In an autobiography set for release on Febuary 14th, John Amaechi will reveal to the world what it is really like to be gay in the NBA. The 6'10" center who played for the Cavs, Magic and Jazz and for three years in Europe currently broadcasts NBA games for Channel Five in the UK. The AP reported Wednesday that Amaechi will become only the sixth professional athlete from one of the U.S. four major sports to come out of the closet, all after retirement. Mike Piazza doesn't count. Philadelphia 76er Shavlik Randolph applauded Amaechi's decision to come out by saying, "As long as you don't bring your gayness on me I'm fine. As far as business-wise, I'm sure I could play with him." And Sixer center Stephen Hunter reacted to the news by saying, "For real? He's gay for real? As long as he don't make any advances toward me I'm fine with it." With this apparent high level of maturity and overwhelming support for an openly gay NBA player from his colleagues, it's hard to believe Amaechi didn't feel comfortable coming out while he was playing. I'm sure these pillars of tolerance would have treated him just like one of the guys-- whipping him with their towels, racing him to the showers and fighting with the other teammates to be Johnnycake's box-out partner during rebounding drills. You know, the one where you're taught to put your ass directly into your opponent's crotch. While most NBA players are fine with reciting the NBA mantra of "I love this game," there are some others who just want to scream, "this game is fabulous." And the NBA needs to grow up and deal with it.
Gay and in the NBA
John Amaechi, who played five seasons in the NBA, is coming out in a tell-all book that will also be coming out. He will become the first NBA player to ever announce he's openly gay. And there's an important distinction to make before I continue. When I say "gay" I don't mean it the way frat boys or a schoolyard bully throw this word around so casually as in, "quit being gay" or "hey, you shoot foul shots kind of gay." I mean it as in John Amaechi, the man pictured above shooting a foul shot, is a homosexual. In an autobiography set for release on Febuary 14th, John Amaechi will reveal to the world what it is really like to be gay in the NBA. The 6'10" center who played for the Cavs, Magic and Jazz and for three years in Europe currently broadcasts NBA games for Channel Five in the UK. The AP reported Wednesday that Amaechi will become only the sixth professional athlete from one of the U.S. four major sports to come out of the closet, all after retirement. Mike Piazza doesn't count. Philadelphia 76er Shavlik Randolph applauded Amaechi's decision to come out by saying, "As long as you don't bring your gayness on me I'm fine. As far as business-wise, I'm sure I could play with him." And Sixer center Stephen Hunter reacted to the news by saying, "For real? He's gay for real? As long as he don't make any advances toward me I'm fine with it." With this apparent high level of maturity and overwhelming support for an openly gay NBA player from his colleagues, it's hard to believe Amaechi didn't feel comfortable coming out while he was playing. I'm sure these pillars of tolerance would have treated him just like one of the guys-- whipping him with their towels, racing him to the showers and fighting with the other teammates to be Johnnycake's box-out partner during rebounding drills. You know, the one where you're taught to put your ass directly into your opponent's crotch. While most NBA players are fine with reciting the NBA mantra of "I love this game," there are some others who just want to scream, "this game is fabulous." And the NBA needs to grow up and deal with it.
