Rugby Death

Gotta have a head on a swivel, my man.

UConn’s Gay Acceptance Video

UConn hockey started publicizing this video they shot for a program called You Can Play. The message is that they do not care what sexuality their teammates identify with— they just want to win.

Overall, I am cool with this video. However, I think it is a bit of a cop out to not use words like sexuality or gay or homosexual. Kind of an 800-pound gorilla. But the challenge of being “man enough” to accept anyone might just catch on in hockey if enough teams get behind this.

The You Can Play program was started by Philadelphia Flyers scout Patrick Burke after his brother, Brendan Burke, died in a car accident in 2010. Brendan served as manager for Miami of Ohio’s hockey team and came out as gay in 2009.

It is only a matter of time before a major, active male athlete comes out as homosexual in the United States. The potential impact would be humongous. The endorsement deals would be huge, the speaking engagement requests would fly in faster than a Kerry Wood fastball and the shifting social opinion would favor the athlete tremendously. Sure, there would be plenty of hateful backlash, but that would not be anything the athlete would not have been used to throughout his life.

Most Americans do not know Gareth Thomas, the 6’3″ 230 pound Welsh rugby player who came out while playing for the Cardiff Blues in December 2009. A man’s man like Thomas would shock the millions of Americans who still imagine homosexuals as sissies. No man could refuse to compete against an athlete like Thomas citing “disgust” without coming off as fearful and ignorant.

With more movements and statements like this video, the day of an American Thomas could arrive sooner rather than later.

The Big Guy