One step forward, two steps back…
That's what the sports world took over the weekend when the Los Angeles Times dropped a story about the homophobia that still exists in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Despite the fact that pro boxer Orlando Cruz came out recently and revealed that he is gay, LA Times writer Kevin Baxter interviewed a bunch of pro athletes and found that many of them still aren't 100 percent comfortable with the idea of playing alongside a gay athlete. Specifically, he spoke with Detroit Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter, who told him that he wouldn't be okay with having a gay teammate in the clubhouse with him.
"For me, as a Christian…I will be uncomfortable because in all my teachings and all my learning, biblically, it's not right," he admitted to Baxter. "It will be difficult and uncomfortable."
But, fortunately, Baxter's report isn't all bad. He also points out that there are plenty of pro players out there who are all for same-sex marriages. And, he quotes NBA Commissioner David Stern in the story, who says that it won't be long before the NBA embraces its' first openly gay player.
"It will happen," he said. "I have no doubt about it."
Read the rest of Baxter's story here. Are you discouraged by Hunter's comments?
RELATED: Hall of Shame: A Recent History of Homophobia in Sports
[via Big League Stew]
