Openly Gay NFL ex-Player Addresses Rookies on Tolerance

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2501916

As part of this week's 10th annual rookie symposium, an event aimed at preparing draft choices for life in the NFL on and off the field, the league arranged for experts in and out the game to address young players on issues ranging from financial planning to social relationships to dealing with the media.

And, for the first time ever, on what it is like to be a gay man playing professional football.

---snip---

Tuaolo, who played for five different teams in nine seasons and who retired after the 1999 campaign, could not be immediately reached for comment.

"I think a lot of guys were shocked at what had to tolerate at times," Haynes said during a break in the symposium, which is being held near San Diego. "This went way beyond our normal 'well, we're an equal opportunity employer' discussion of diversity that we might have had in the past. Esera was great. He talked, for instance, about the kind of language that might be used in the locker room and about how, no matter the intent, it could be hurtful to some people. He made some terrific points."
---snip---

[terrya]

1. I wish Esera good luck on that one.

I read Esera's wonderful book "Alone in the Trenches", where he talks about his experiences being gay...and being a Pro Football player. He makes it quite clear that Professional Football is hardly a welcoming place for gay men in the NFL.

I sincerely wish Esera Tuaolo good luck. But Professional Sports is one of the last bastions of homophobia. It's going to be a long, long, long time before a gay man can publically come out during his career.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Well, it has to start somewhere.

And furthermore, praise should go to the NFL for taking the initiative on this issue.

[terrya]

4. True.

You're right. At least it's a start.

I'm just particualarly sensitive to this issue. Or homophobia in general.

[KitchenWitch]

6. I have not read his book, but have had the pleasure of meeting him

He helped coach my son's football team in the city championship one year. The head coach of the team was Tuineau Alipate (who also used to be in the NFL).

Esera Tuaolo is really a decent human being and I really enjoyed talking with him, albeit we only talked about youth football.

[Beware the Beast Man]

2. I would challenge anyone to call him a name to his face.

[Nickster]

7. I'm so damn confused! I want to like him, but he was a Packer! A PACKER!

WHY? Why did he have to be a Packer?!

[HuskerDU]

8. You must be a Bears fan like me! (or Vikings maybe)

Anyway, the guy is retired! Heck, Jim McMahon was once a Packer too. He wore his Bears jersey to the White House after the Packer SB title because the Bears missed their visit due to the Space Shuttle tragedy I believe.

The guy is doing great, progressive things, even if he was a Packer he is ok in my book!

[Nickster]

9. Vikings*shudder*. I'm a true blue Bears fan. I've sworn a blood oath

to hate all things made of cheese. Heck I'm even lactose intolerant!:rofl: *Sigh* Yes I remember Jimmy Mac becoming a member of the despised and I laughed my butt off when he wore his Bears jersey.

Anyways....I said I was torn.....he seems like a nice guy and he's doing great things obviously....but a Packer?!

[HuskerDU]

5. If I dig around in some old shoeboxes, I think I will find Esera

Tuaolo's rookie card. And IIRC, Esera is standing in front of an American flag! Seems very appropriate to me!

[StellaBlue]

10. I agree with a previous poster - does this guy look like a sissy to you?