Coming Out Kicking: openly gay kicker trying out for the NFL

[altlover85]

^^^John Amaechi (Basketball) already took care of that

Was he active when he came out or was he retired?

 

[eastofeden]

Was he active when he came out or was he retired?

Pretty sure he was retired...have to check. I was just watching the LOGO series (Shirts and Skins) about the SF Gay Men's Basketball team and he was on there....

 

[MorrisseyX]

MorrisseyX - that's precisely my point. A white player would make news for all of 1-2 days. He'd be paraded on all of the magazine covers, and he'll do the talk show circuit. After that, the significance will fade...

With a Black player however, I just believe differently. The conversation will last for years.

I agree a white gay guy isn't going to have a cultural impact if he comes out in the NFL, it won't make much of a difference. I doubt black people straight or gay would care that much.

If Kerry Rhodes did officially come out, my goodness, the media and the public would explode, it would cut across racial and cultural lines. It would reach communities of colour such as Latinos and African Americans that a black guy can be gay, masculine and excel at the NFL.

Yes, on the black blogs already on Baller Alert, Lipstick Alley, Mediatakeout, Bossip, Hollywood Street King, EVERYBODY is talking about Kerry Rhodes. Black women are freaking out because Kerry Rhodes is a very attractive black man and he's a damn good football player.

From what I've read from the straight blogs, even they acknowledge Kerry Rhodes SHOULD be on a NFL team. I heard that Rhodes met with a team recently, I don't know why the man hasn't been signed yet I know he's a free agent but he should be playing.

So, even though Kerry Rhodes hasn't officially come out, he is unofficially out of the closet.

 

[-Kane-]

He was retired.... and even if he played a few games as an out gay man, no one really remembers him.

 

[MorrisseyX]

Honestly, I think it would be better if someone came out. If it happens to be a white guy, he makes it a little easier for everyone else. If it happens to be someone of color, then not only does he make it easier for others to come out, but he creates that really strong impact.

But to say that it HAS to be a black guy, seems a little over the top to me.

My personal opinion it would be BETTER if it was a black guy coming out first in the NFL than a white guy. Again, a white gay guy is the status quo, he will get the press and media attention. However, in communities of colour people will dismiss this white gay guy and they will say "oh, big deal some white boy came out in the NFL, but the brothers can't be gay." People in communities of colour still have that attitude that to be gay automatically means to be white, not Latino, Native American, black or Asian.

 

[-Kane-]

I agree a white gay guy isn't going to have a cultural impact if he comes out in the NFL, it won't make much of a difference. I doubt black people straight or gay would care that much.

If Kerry Rhodes did officially come out, my goodness, the media and the public would explode, it would cut across racial and cultural lines. It would reach communities of colour such as Latinos and African Americans that a black guy can be gay, masculine and excel at the NFL.

Yes, on the black blogs already on Baller Alert, Lipstick Alley, Mediatakeout, Bossip, Hollywood Street King, EVERYBODY is talking about Kerry Rhodes. Black women are freaking out because Kerry Rhodes is a very attractive black man and he's a damn good football player.

From what I've read from the straight blogs, even they acknowledge Kerry Rhodes SHOULD be on a NFL team. I heard that Rhodes met with a team recently, I don't know why the man hasn't been signed yet I know he's a free agent but he should be playing.

So, even though Kerry Rhodes hasn't officially come out, he is unofficially out of the closet.

Great points... I just hope we get something to the equivalent of a Kerry Rhodes. Hopefully, he'll be a playmaker (not a bench warmer), and he'll be attractive.

 

[altlover85]

People in communities of colour still have that attitude that to be gay automatically means to be white, not Latino, Native American, black or Asian.

So the only way to combat that is if a person of color in sports comes out?

I'm sure there have to be other ways.

 

[justanothershyguy]

Did you guys just make this about race and not the fact it's an openly gay player?

Jeez. The good sis DF was right.

 

[MorrisseyX]

So the only way to combat that is if a person of color in sports comes out?

I'm sure there have to be other ways.

Well look at mainstream Hollywood how many high profile people of colour are out? Very few people and the people who are out aren't exactly A list either. Ru Paul is a drag queen, Wanda Sykes is an ugly dyke Comedian, Margaret Cho says she's bisexual but she's a woman so I doubt people are going to care.

A NFL player who was also of colour and he did come out would get people's attention. He would really challenge people's prejudices and misconceptions about gay men of colour.

 

[Adrock-JD]

I still won't watch NFL. The constant blowing of whistles is enough to drive anyone insane.

Proper football, meaning the rest of the planet, now that I'll watch.

 

[pat grimshaw]

I still won't watch NFL. ....

Me neither. The costumes they wear are ludicrous! As ludicrous as drag queen costumes!

They should play nude.

 

[Nick4444]

Seems not to have made it ... pity.

Kinda reminds me of a sales clerk at the place I get my supplements (I get a hard-on when I see him as well -- Man, love those lips and smile. The stuff of fantasies!)

 

[justanothershyguy]

Seems not to have made it ... pity.

He's got plenty of time. Tonight was the first round. I don't think he was expected to even get drafted. Kickers/punters often get signed as free agents and for tryouts

 

[loveguys72]

I wish the kid luck. Still not interested in sports, though.

 

[Callum]

He's quite cute, but, like loki...I will never give a flying fuck about this, uh, 'sport'.

 

[altlover85]

Well look at mainstream Hollywood how many high profile people of colour are out? Very few people and the people who are out aren't exactly A list either. Ru Paul is a drag queen, Wanda Sykes is an ugly dyke Comedian, Margaret Cho says she's bisexual but she's a woman so I doubt people are going to care.

A NFL player who was also of colour and he did come out would get people's attention. He would really challenge people's prejudices and misconceptions about gay men of colour.

Honestly, there aren't that many high profile people of color when you think of them as a percentage of all the famous people that people are familiar with.

I would think an openly gay movie star of color would have more of an impact than a sports star, but I don't really know one way or the other since I'm not all that interested in most sports.

 

[Rayvontae]

I hope he makes it into the NFL

 

[Taralen]

If he doesn't make it in, it's because he's a shitty football player which in my opinion, he is.

It has nothing to do with him being a friend of dorothy. If he's a good player like that 90 second video proclaims he is, then he has no problem.

And Kane stop putting race into it. We already have many successful and still going professional black gay people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:LGBT_African_Americans

 

[rareboy]

Hmm, I think he looks 23, like good for 23

He looks delicious for 23.

I want him to succeed so badly...he and Kluwe would be a pretty hot couple.

Interesting that the kicker for my high school football team was a homo too. I'm going to start looking at all the kickers more closely from now on.

 

[justanothershyguy]

UPDATE: Gendreau did NOT get drafted. He wasn't even a part of it, and according to his twitter:

I am training right now with hopes of landing a tryout at a training camp in a couple months!

Looks like this will be more likely to happen (if it does) in July or later. Good luck, Alan!