Hard to believe you left out Megan Rapinoe's partner and WNBA All-Star (and equally-talented-on-a-national-level) Sue Bird, but alas it was the last paragraph (blame the editor? ;) Sue was the best defense (in a Player's Tribune article) when Megan was sparring with the President earlier this summer - having one's partner speak out can be extremely validating and normalizing for one's relationship. I hope this eventually is valued in the NFL.
2
I passionately support equal rights for all and have long supported gay marriage, but as a football fan I can see through this hoodwink.
This player doesn’t have a snow ball’s chance of making an NFL roster and this is his chance at some semblance of fame.
It is sad that people can’t see through that because they are so excited to declare their support for equality.
4
And now he'll never play another snap in the NFL. Guaranteed!
5
"Everyone should be able to bring their full authentic self to work..." I wonder how much of us does that or even knows what their "full authentic self" is. Most if not all of us have some amount of identity problem to reconcile, who we want to be versus who we are or appear to be, it is not limited to LBGT persons.
2
Just because no one else is *outwardly* gay, that doesn't mean they aren't already openly gay with their family and/or teammates. People aren't obligated to shout their sexuality from the rooftops.
8
I have become more and more disgusted with the NFL over the years. But I support the players and I will support the next team that signs him. Let's makes sure the sales of his jersey skyrocket!
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@CT I think I'll donate to Human Rights Campaign instead. The NFL doesn't need my money.
4
Courageous to do this as a free agent. I hope he is right that it won't get in the way of his being signed. I will believe that when I see it.
7
This needs to be considered carefully in view of the controversy surrounding safety in the NFL. The unavoidable facts are that about 2/3 of all new HIV infections are in men who have sex with men, HIV is often transmitted by exposure to infected blood, and playing football frequently results in exposure to blood. So, excluding this individual would not be discrimination, it would be preservation of worker safety.
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@No In the era of HAART therapy and an overwhelming body of clinical research proving that "undetectable = untrasmittable," this comment is extremely ignorant at best.
12
Is he HIV positive? If not, what are you talking about?
11
I've had the honor of featuring Ryan's powerful and vulnerable poetry on my site, Elephant Journal--and can say he walks his talk. He's a good man, caring, and despite his admirable modesty here his bravery will help unfurl the next, better chapter of sports equality.
9
This is going to be a very interesting chapter for the NFL but even more so for the players. The NFL should jump all over this and embrace. PR dream for them in light of concussions and Kapernick. Moreover, even the most troll-like football fan has come round on LBGTQ rights, generally. HOWEVER, now the players and their union need to put their civil rights agenda to work for LBGTQ rights as they are one in the same (to an extent). If the players are biased and exhibit such bias against this Bi player, they are going to have a terrible credibility issue with those of us that support their civil rights. As for kneeling, I fully respect the players right to express themselves and say whatever they want but once they show up to work, free speech belongs to the employer. You can check all my posts, I’m a flaming liberal but work is work. I can’t go to work and not do what I am told. If you want to kneel, negotiate that in the next union contract.
3
@Billy Bobby Excellent angle re: PR win. Don't see it in the cards for a bunch of old, white, conservative billionaires though.
2
@normlebus And because there are so many good ol boy fans from the South, still tooting their Dixie horns and flexing their 1950's beliefs. No chance the league will "embrace" a non-straight player. Imagine NASCAR having a gay driver, and the chaos that would ensue?
2
I'm glad he feels that he can talk about his real self. He may be the first to do so. He certainly isn't the first LBGQT NFL athlete. So nothing needs to change in the sport...except acceptance (not tolerance that is begrudging at best) and continue with the game as usual.
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@jcs. I dont get why he feels the need to make a press release out of his sex life. It should remain private.
1
I don't think the NFL is ready for anything that wrinkles the highly designed packaging of their product. If you had maybe shot somebody or put your girlfriend in the hospital, that would be forgivable. But wear a headband with the wrong logo, speak your mind, take a knee, or come out as LGBT? Good luck with that.
27
Great courage, but I wold not hold my breath that any team will sign him and let him play a down. They don't have the guts to hire an All-Pro like Colin Kaepernick, so I am sure they will not take the p.r. "risk" that comes with hiring someone who is not openly hetero.
I hope I am wrong.
19
I predict he’ll never play another down. The plantation system will never allow it. Colin Kaepernick took a knee to protest police violence, and we was erased by the league. Not fair, but we will see
13
While I really admire Mr. Russell's courage, I find it hard to believe that NFL owners will quietly go along with this. The organization is a dinasaur to be sure (think concussion issues) and, although there's no doubt they have employed LBGTQ players in the past, they did so unaware. Mr. Russell would most likely be better off without them.
3
I love it that he writes poetry.
8
You are a hero, sir. Thank you for helping gay, bisexual and transsexual people feel more free to be themselves.
17
@Von Jones I share the exact same sentiment as you, just wanted to let you know that the term 'transsexual' is thought of as demeaning by most trans people and transgender is preferred. Honest mistake.
4
Well, there goes that career. See: Michael Sam. Too bad. But thanks for coming out.
4
I’m not much interested in Football but I’m rooting for you. Funny how much courage it takes to live with authenticity. How do I get my hands on some of those romance stories you spoke of?
6
Why do some people think it is necessary to talk about their sexuality? Should not some aspects of one's personality be private and what does it have to do with football?
3
@Aaron Adams Did you take the time to read his essay? The "why" is eloquently described.
20
@Aaron Adams
Why do some people think it is necessary to complain about public discussions of sexuality?
Should not decisions on privacy be left to the people whose privacy is actually affected?
Reliable measures consistently estimate that 5-10% of the human population is LGBTQ; in this context, does the fact that there are exactly _zero_ (of _thousands_) of signed players across four different leagues that are out, have _nothing_ to do with football? At the very least, it's a stunning statistical anomaly.
Are you sure you don't simply mean "Ew, I don't want to hear about that because I find it gross, and the world should never present things in public spaces that I find gross?"
8
@Aaron Adams It's necessary, because it normalizes it within the league. Gay players have been playing in the NFL for decades, an they stay quiet because of people like you. Sorry that Mr. Russell is inconveniencing you by being himself. Get over it, dude.
7
Bravo on your bravery, Mr. Russell!
But the NFL has not provided ready for a man who kneels during the national anthem to bring virtuous attention to law enforcement mistreatment of minorities.
I'm pretty sure the NFL is not ready for someone who challenges the idea of traditional masculinity.
20
@Jeremy You mean the NFL would not support a guy who kneeled during the national anthem to support a bogus, contrived "movement" (the biggest killer of young black males is other black males) that went absolutely nowhere because it was contrived and senseless. He got a settlement (payout) for this extortion, right? The NFL splashed out millions. And "bring virtuous attention..." he did nothing of the sort. He is no longer in the NFL because he had little talent, was an arrogant narcissist not a team player, and would never BE a team player. NFL teams don't need the headache. They have to pamper enough overpaid jocks.
2
A sweet, kind, handsome, athletic, popular, and much-admired high school classmate of mine who came from a football family -- avid about the support; parents who drove their sons into the game (literally, psychologically, abusively) -- kept his secret too close. After graduation, without the protective cocoon that school social norms provide their "golden" ones, he drifted away, alienating himself from friends and family he was convinced could never accept or love him for his authentic self, and died a lonely death at far too young an age, stripped of what was once a promising life. Ryan Russell's courage is to be applauded and recognized for the life-saving action it is: his own and, no doubt, many others.
34
I admire your courage. Don’t kneel during the anthem.
16
@JH Why??? He can't be openly bi and also be concerned about the extra-judicial killing of black bodies by police?
9
@JH Where the heck did that come from? Do you go around instructing every black football player you see not to kneel for the anthem? Just in case?
1
You mis read my meaning. Of course its ok. I encourage it. As im sure you do, too. Sarcasm.
I admire him very much! As the mother of an LBGTQ teen, I see the fear of rejection and judgement. I stand for acceptance and love.
54
Unfortunately I don’t think you are going to get a chance. Much like kapernick the owners will resist this as long as possible not wanting to admit that the game can be played by a gay or bisexual person. If you were a big name it might be different. Congratulations on being able to live the way you want and I look forward to reading some of the poetry you spoke of.
26