In a perfect world the opinion expressed by CBS commentator Tim Brando would be correct as an athlete’s sexuality shouldn’t matter, period. Yet, unfortunately it isn’t the case and is why Jason Collins’ admission is not only huge for the NBA for all other professional sports as well. He becomes the first openly gay male in professional sports.
He has gotten support from the San Jose Sharks organization, Kobe Bryant, Bob Melvin, former president Bill Clinton, Brendon Ayanbadejo and others. The hope is that in the upcoming years that there’s more acceptance in the clubhouse and that it seen as no big deal and that makes Collins being the first a hero.
Brando went to Twitter to voice his opinion in four Tweets:
Calling it a night folks. The Dictionary matters to me and “HERO”can’t be used loosely. That’s my only point. Twitter took over afterwards.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 29, 2013
I called Jason and his brothers games in the NCAA’s and was happy for him upon being drafted. He is good guy. Good for him. Hero? No sorry.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 29, 2013
On the topic of Jason Collins I really don’t care and frankly why should anyone else.The HERO worship is out of bounds.I’m glad he is happy.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 29, 2013
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a hero as one who shows great courage. Did Collins not display that? In Brando’s mind it didn’t happen, yet there are many who disagree.
It says something about where the United States is as Collins stated “when I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.”
When he was younger it meant sacrificing who he was to continue as an athlete due to the intolerance back when. Now there’s still a long way to go as there’s still a high rate of suicide among teenagers who are gay and marriage equality is becoming accepted by many. Unfortunately there are people like Chris Broussard and Brando who just don’t get it.
Even if it were a choice, what gives people the right to treat others inhumanely? Nothing.