Sun Devils Sarafin Comes Out: Just How Big A Deal Is This Now...???

((HT: AZCentral.com/Haller))

Chip Sarafin has been a part of the Arizona State football program for the last four seasons as a non-scholarship offensive lineman. And in an article released today in Tempe, Arizona-based Compete magazine Sarafin told writer Joshua Wyrick that he is gay.

Serafin told Wyrick that he started telling his teammates that he's gay back in the spring. The news became public with the release of the magazine on Wednesday.

According to the article, there has been no issue with Sarafin and is Sun Devil teammates since his announcement and it is thought that he is the first-ever Division I football player to announce he is gay during his activity on campus.

Here's the first look from Dan Bickley:
((HT: KPNX-TV))
ASU head coach Todd Graham released a statement: "We are a brotherhood that is not defined by cultural and personal differences, but rather an individual's commitment to the Sun Devil Way. Chip is a fifth-year senior and a Scholar Baller, a graduate and a master's student. His commitment to service is unmatched and it is clear he is on his way to leading a successful life after his playing career, a goal that I have for every student-athlete. Diversity and acceptance are two of the pillars of our program, and he has full support from his teammates and the coaching staff." Vice President for Athletics Ray Anderson said Sarafin has ASU's support: "The entire athletics department is extremely proud of Chip and is unequivocally supportive of him. His undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, his pursuit of a master's in the same field, his research involving football-related concussions, and his heavy involvement in the community with both youth sports in Arizona and the Tillman Scholars embodies all the characteristics that set our student-athletes apart and allows our university to maintain an environment of inclusiveness and progression."
And the larger question is: Is this THAT big a deal in its progressive behavior...???

The HQ lauds Sarafin and the stance of ASU at present and we hope it continues...

Michael Sam Drafted After All By St. Louis

((HT: Fox 2 St. Louis))

Here's the phone call that made history on a lot of different levels...


The skinny on Sam was that he would go anywhere from the third to fifth round. He went into the seventh...

Which was fine... Sam, admittedly a tweener size-wise for defensive linemen and linebackers, could be an effective speed rusher for a defense that is already getting pretty stout.

It was a bit of a home town selection- which was also fine.

Here's the home town coverage from KSDK

Sam is ready to go for the Rams and the Rams seem ready to accept him and will look at him for his athletic abilities and finding a place for the SEC Defensive Player of The Year on their roster...

Dale Hansen On Michael Sam

((HT: WFAA-TV))

WFAA's Dale Hansen is known as the sports world's version of "get outta my yard guy..."

He was allowed to have this two minutes of time in his commentary...

And we're glad he did...

Mizzou DE Sam Says He Is Gay, Patrick Crayton Not A Fan...

((HT: ESPN))

Michael Sam could be drafted this year for a team that needs some help up front...

Teammates have known since the beginning of the regular season that he is gay, but he is now telling Chris Connelly the same and he is now the first openly gay pro prospect...

Here's a piece of his interview...


Sam led the SEC with 11-and-a-half sacks, and 19 tackles for loss. Most NFL draft projections see him as a Day Two selection, with some saying Sam could go as high as the third round. He may have to change from DE to a linebacker because of his college size...

Here's instant analysis


It will be interesting to see if Sam can:

A) Stick to a roster and,
B) Not be subjected to the stereotypical locker room culture that the HQ knows exists- on every level...

Will we all be adults...???

What the HQ feels and what may actually happen are two different things...

UPDATE: The Cowboys Patrick Crayton is the first over the bar...

In a series of Tweets, the receiver showed his true colors- until he says his account was hacked or the comments get removed...

Missouri DE Michael Sam, a projected mid-round pick, said today he's gay. Story now on ESPN2." To urself!!!
Missouri DE Michael Sam, a projected mid-round pick, said today he's gay. Story now on ESPN2." Stay in the closet and keep
Missouri DE Michael Sam, a projected mid-round pick, said today he's gay. Story now on ESPN2." trying to figure why annonce
Missouri DE Michael Sam, a projected mid-round pick, said today he's gay. Story now on ESPN2." Oh wow!!! There goes the NFL!

He proceeded to get in a Twitter battle with Johnny Knoxville of all people...

Heterosexuals aren't walking around saying I'm straight!!!

Stay classy...

The Games Have Always Been A Little Gay...

((HT: CIDI))

That's the tag line for the video below that tackles the Russian government's stance on gay athletes...

Um...

Head on...

The Canadian Institute of Diversity and Inclusion did it... and they should be commended...


“I think it’s important that people realize that outside of Russia there are 70-plus countries where being LGBT is illegal, punishable from anywhere from a couple of years in jail to a death sentence," according to CIDI CEO Michael Bach...

So be it in its brilliance...

Sochi Mayor Says No Gays In His Town... Really...

((HT: BBC News))

Either Anatoly Pakhomov is blind or just not smart...

He is under the impression that there are no gay people in his town as the winter five-ringed circus approaches in a few week's time...

Evidence below...


Russian president Vladmir Putin passed a law banning propaganda of "nontraditional sexual relations" for the period when the world is coming to his country.

The HQ doesn't see this going over well at all...

Chris Kluwe Blasts Old Bosses In Minnesota

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

Including calling his old boss, Leslie Frazier, a "coward" and his special teams coach a "bigot."

As you all know, now-former NFL punter Chris Kluwe has never been afraid to speak his mind and tell people what he thinks in his highly-thought out opinions especially on topics like gays in the NFL and same-sex marriage...

Example below...
((HT: CNN))


He believes he was waived by the Vikings because of his beliefs (completely believable) and now has written a scorched-earth column in Deadpsin where he cites incidents:

One paragraph...

"It's my belief, based on everything that happened over the course of 2012, that I was fired by Mike Priefer, a bigot who didn't agree with the cause I was working for, and two cowards, Leslie Frazier and Rick Spielman, both of whom knew I was a good punter and would remain a good punter for the foreseeable future, as my numbers over my eight-year career had shown, but who lacked the fortitude to disagree with Mike Priefer on a touchy subject matter."

One of his goals is to make sure that Priefer, if what Kluwe relates is accurate, never coaches anywhere ever again...

Kluwe did say, however, that owner Zygi Wilf supported his thoughts even as Frazier apparently told him not to talk about politics in public...

But the HQ is all for beautifully, unique sparkleponies and it will be interesting to see where Kluwe and those he mentions come out in all this- even as it looks less and less like Kluwe will be employed as a punter in the NFL because of his beliefs...

Which is a shame...

ICYMI: Robbie Rogers To Galaxy

After retiring thinking that his being an openly gay athlete would detract from his sport, team, and teammates Robbie Rogers has unretired. 

The LA Galaxy have traded for his rights from the Chicago Fire.

Rogers didn't play in 2012 and has 11 goals scored during a 5-year run with the Columbus Crew. Admittedly, we aren't 100% sure how the Fire ended up with his rights.

Rogers also has time spent with the U.S National team and is considered one of the best players in the U.S. As for the gay athlete part, he's hoping that won't be a "label". Rather, he just wants to be known as a good soccer player.

Said Galaxy coach Bruce Arena:  "We've been searching for the last year or two for a player that has the skills to be a flank player, play wide and add a little speed to our club, take on players and a good crosser off the ball with both of his feet," Arena said. "He offers qualities that we've been looking for, so we're hopeful that in time, Robbie will demonstrate the kind of qualities that he has previously in this league."

Let's hope that's how Rogers is looked at rather than being a spectacle because he's gay.

The Galaxy Provide some video of Robbie Rogers/Soccer Player:

Chris Kluwe Waived By Vikings... Wonder Why... (VIDEO)

Not that this is s surprise or anything, but it appears that the Minnesota Vikings have waived punter Chris Kluwe after drafting punter in the fifth round of the NFL Draft past. The Vikings drafted UCLA punter Jeff Locke in the 5th round of this year's NFL Draft causing Kluwe to predict that the writing was on the wall and he would be released.

And it was...

Here is the series of Tweets that solidified the event...

And thank you everyone for your support. Remember, one label does not define who you are as a person :)

Thank you to all the fans, my teammates, and the Wilf family for the past 8.5 years. I wouldn't have traded it for anything.

So long, Minnesota, and thanks for all the fish!

Here's an interview with Kluwe on the Dan Patrick Show...


And, regardless of what the Vikings say about the issue (financial excuse or otherwise), it was his profound outspokenness on issues that made him too hot to have in their locker room... in their own opinion behind every closed door...

Which is a shame...
Here's his first interview after his release...
((HT: KARE-TV))

Jason Collins Comes Out: Should He Have Done It?

((ht: si.com))

First barrier broken. The first active professional athlete in a team sport to come out and say he's gay is now on the record.

In a detailed and amazing story in this weeks Sports Illustrated, long-time NBA Center Jason Collins told his story. He spoke about growing up and trying to adhere to what he believed society says he should have been and about his struggle with coming to grips with it.

It's a fascinating read.

You can read the whole thing RIGHT HERE

Collins says he doesn't need the publicity and doesn't necessarily want to be held up as a standard bearer. He says he just wanted to be honest with himself and let people judge him for who he is.

And who he is is this: Collins is a 12+year veteran of the NBA and has played for nearly a half dozen NBA teams. He has a twin brother whom he says "Never knew" until he told him less than a year ago. Not that it should matter. It shouldn't.

For all the talk of NFL players coming out, the fact is, it hasn't happened and we suspect if it did, those players would be quietly ostracized. We don't necessarily think the NBA will act the same way.

For all of it's odd behavior, entourage's, bling and other things, the NBA has been of all the Pro Sports, the most open minded about things.

Already there has been some talk that; "Okay, great, good for him, but Collins is a guy at the end of his career, does it matter that much?". It does, but it doesn't.

No, it may or may not extend his career, but we're guessing at this point Collins does not care. And really, it shouldn't matter.

Just the fact that he's an active player and did it is more the point. Someone had to do this.

We wish Mr. Collins the best and salute his courage. Despite what the religious right would have you believe, people are entitled to do, live, love and act in the best way THEY see fit. But in reality, there are way too many people who will ostracize him for doing what he should do. And those people should be ashamed of themselves. They say it's "Not god's will" but is it not part of that will to accept, love and respect people for who they are, not who you think they should be?

We'll get off our horse here, but we hope this is something that you'll think about. We live in a very polarized, very closed minded society these days, whether we want to admit it or not. And yet in spite of that, there are open minded people out there who don't see others as a label, a tag or a stereotype but rather what they are and hope to be.

And when it comes down to it, isn't that the way we are all supposed to live?