Tag: out athletes

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SiriusXM Radio to launch gay sports show – The Outfield

SiriusXM’s OutQ channel has announced the radio network will launch a gay sports show called The Outfield. Via press release:

The Outfield will be a place where sports fans, regardless of sexual orientation, will be encouraged to share their perspectives on events and issues happening on and off the field.

Guests for the debut program include: Sheryl Swoopes, the head coach of the women’s basketball team of Loyola University Chicago, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time WNBA MVP; Dakota Cochrane, professional MMA fighter; and Howard Bragman, noted public relations expert credited with advising numerous celebrities and athletes on “coming out,” including All-American college football star Michael Sam, who is widely considered a prospect to become the first openly-gay player in the NFL.

Also joining will be Cyd Zeigler, editor and co-founder of Outsports.com, and Hudson Taylor, the Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally. In the coming weeks, guests will include Ciaran O’Lionaird, Summer Olympian and track star, among others.

The show will debut this Sunday at 11AM on OutQ 109.

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University of Massachusetts basketball player Derrick Gordon comes out

University of Massachusetts sophomore Derrick Gordon came out today, making him the first openly gay player in Division I men’s college basketball.

Seeing the positive reaction to out NBA-er Jason Collins’ coming out inspired Gordon to come out.

“That was so important to me,” he said of the first time Jason Collins entered the court, receiving a standing ovation, “knowing that sexuality didn’t matter, that the NBA was OK with it.”

“I just didn’t want to hide anymore, in any way,” Gordon told ESPN. “I didn’t want to have to lie or sneak. I’ve been waiting and watching for the last few months, wondering when a Division I player would come out, and finally I just said, ‘Why not me?’”

Gordon says the reaction from his team has been very positive.  Immediately after coming out, one team mate said,  “We got you, you’re one of us.”

Out NFL hopeful Michael Sam also offered his congratulations on Twitter:

(via Queerty)

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When Notre Dame athlete Matt Dooley came out

Notre Dame senior varsity tennis player Matt Dooley faced some tough times when he began to embrace who he was, not only to himself but to his parents and team mates.

His journey of self-acceptance involved a suicide attempt and an estrangement from his parents. But he kept moving forward. And on the two year anniversary of his suicide attempt, he found strength in the brotherhood of his sport by coming out to his coaches and team mates.

I think his story of coming out, shared with OutSports, sends a message of strength over adversity.

From OutSports:

I have since made the conscious decision that my challenges do not and will not define who I am. I am a son, a brother, and a friend. I am a student, a teammate, and a future physician. I am a chaser of dreams and an achiever of goals. I am a gay man who is now proud to stand up for those just like me and show them that they, too, can strive for greatness both athletically and professionally.

I share this story in hopes of sending a single message to other gay athletes like me: No matter the circumstance or situation, you are never alone.

You can read more about Matt’s journey at OutSports. And don’t miss the moving video below produced by Fighting Irish Digital Media chronicling the team’s acceptance.

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Brookly Nets nab spot in playoffs with out Jason Collins

Beating the Houston Rockets at home last night by a score of 105-96, the Brooklyn Nets picked up a spot in the playoffs.  This was the Nets 14th straight win at home.

The win was particularly sweet as the Nets had not beaten the Rockets at home since 2003.

While direct credit can’t be attributed solely to openly gay Nets’ player Jason Collins,  the current winning streak certainly quiets skeptics who warned that a gay player would be a distraction and detrimental to a team’s performance.

And there you have it.  Out and winning.  That’s Jason Collins.

Got Nets!

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Jason Collins to finish NBA season with Brooklyn Nets

ESPN is reporting that out NBA-er Jason Collins, currently on his second 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets, will finish out the season with the team:

Sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the Nets, who feel they’re getting everything they expected from Collins when they signed him for frontcourt depth Feb. 23, are already operating under the premise that the 34-year-old will finish the season with them even though his second 10-day deal doesn’t expire until after Friday.

Sources say that the internal expectation all along was that Collins would be a Net for the rest of the season, from the moment he signed his first 10-day deal, as long he proved that could still be an effective defender, which he did immediately.

Collins recently played 20 minutes in a 104-89 win over Sacramento last Sunday.

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Out NBA athlete Jason Collins signs his contract with Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd as NBA player Jason Collins signs his contract

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has issued a press release on the signing of Jason Collins to the Brooklyn Nets:

“The return of Jason Collins to the Nets franchise is a milestone for all Brooklynites to celebrate.

“He began his career with this team, helping it win its first Eastern Conference titles in back-to-back seasons, and was beloved by teammates and fans for his professionalism and leadership.

“Last year, he became the first active male athlete in one of America’s four major professional sports to publicly identify as gay. In doing so, he became a trailblazer for the LGBT community and a role model for every community, especially our young people.

“Today, Brooklyn is truly proud to be Jason’s hometown team, as he has brought us pride both on and off the court. I wish him the best of success in helping to bring our borough its first sports championship in 59 years. Let’s go Nets!”

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NFL quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton say gay player would be accepted by team mates

ESPN Sunday Converation featured 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and Panthers QB Cam Newton sitting down with Michele Steele to discuss their off-the-field friendship, the atmosphere in their respective locker rooms and how Michael Sam will fit in the NFL. Via Queerty:

Cam Newton said:

“His job is a linebacker. Colin said it best when he said we don’t worry about each other when we’re outside of football. Of course we have, ‘Are you OK? Is there anything I can help you with?’ But the main focus is, we’re football players. We’re here in this organization for one reason and one reason only. And if you’re able to help us attain that winning success, your personal life is your personal life.”

Colin Kaepernick added:

“No one cares if you’re black, white, straight gay, Christian, Jewish, whatever it may be. When you step on that field you’re a member of, in my case the 49ers, or the Carolina Panthers, that’s your job. That’s your occupation.”

Yesterday, the results of an informal survey of players in the NFL showed roughly 86% of players aren’t interested in other players sexual orientation.