Out Brooklyn Nets player Jason Collins talks with FOX Sports Brendon Ayanbedejo about life in the NBA

As the Brooklyn Nets head into the playoffs, openly gay Jason Collins chats with LGBT ally Brendon Ayanbedejo of FOX Sports about playing in the NBA as an out athlete.

Pro-LGBT Athlete Ally issues statements on NFL draft prospect Michael Sam

Athlete Ally board members respond to University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam's coming out:

“Michael has shown great courage in taking this step and not only do we support him, we are incredibly grateful. His decision to welcome us all into his world as he embarks upon a professional NFL career is an honorable one. This moment will resonate in a unique and important way for countless people, particularly LGBT youth,” said Super Bowl champion and human rights activist Brendon Ayanbadejo, who is a member of the Athlete Ally Board of Directors.

Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally said: “With Michael Sam’s brave step, he emboldens LGBT athletes and straight allies everywhere. We are in the midst of incredible transformation in American professional sports. In a very short period of time, athletics has gone from being known as ‘the last closet in America’ to being in a position to lead on this issue. This is the power of sports.”






Sam was named the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and expected to be a top draft pick for the NFL this May.

NFL's Brendon Ayanbadejo for Principle 6

NFL Super Bowl champion Brendon Ayanbadejo stands up with Principle 6.

From the official website: "Principle 6, a campaign inspired by the values of the Olympic charter, is a way for athletes, fans and global supporters to celebrate the Olympic principle of non-discrimination and call for an end to Russia’s anti-gay laws before the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi."

Brendon Ayanbadejo on racial and LGBT civil rights

Brendon Ayanbadejo

Brendon Ayanbadejo pens an essay for Think Progress in support for LGBT rights in a manner that few can own as he does.

Many who oppose marriage equality repudiate the idea that this is a "civil rights" argument.  As readers of The Randy Report know, I've often said that when civil rights are assigned through a civil license issued by a civil government, we have an issue of "civil rights."

Read just a portion of Brendon's excellent op-ed:

The relationship we see between McGill and Marie — a young, inter-racial couple in the video — is no different from the relationship between my parents. And my parents’ relationship is no different from the relationship between two LGBT individuals. This video captures these similarities.

I’m an advocate for LGBT individuals because I believe they face the same dilemma many interracial couples faced in the 1960s and before. Today, many LGBT couples are discriminated against for simply being who they are. Some are kicked out of their houses; some are forced to live in fear due to societal pressures.

That’s why a new music video, released today by six-piece chamber rock band Great Caesar, is so inspiring. It’s a moving, courageous video for the song “Don’t Ask Me Why,” that draws parallels between the fight for racial equality and today’s struggle for LGBT rights. I was proud to support the band when they were raising money to make the video and I am even more proud to see the outstanding finished product.

Read the entire essay by Brendon at Think Progress.

NFL player Brendon Ayanbadejo believes Chris Kluwe's allegations of homophobia in the Vikings organization

Former NFL star Brendon Ayanbadejo tells TMZ Sports ex-Minnesota Vikings kicker Chris Kluwe is "100% right" about claims he was cut from the team because of his pro-gay rights crusade -- and he's got the stats to back it up.

I guess, at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself: "Is it possible a straight, conservative football coach might have used anti-gay language or phrases in the locker room?"

Is that possible?

I think we know the answer to that question.

NFL Players Association announces gay pride t-shirts

The NFL Players Association has launched a line of gay pride shirts on their website.

All proceeds from the shirts will go to Athlete Ally, the anti-homophobia in sports organization founded by Hudson Taylor.

Via press release:

“I am extremely proud to be a part of this collaboration between Athlete Ally and the NFLPA’s One Team Shop to raise awareness both of Pride Month and the issue of tolerance and respect within the NFL itself,” said Chris Kluwe, punter for the Oakland Raiders. “As players, we are role models to a wide variety of people, and this is a great way to send a message of empathy to those who love and watch the game. Also, I'm pretty stoked that people can buy something with my number on it.”

“June is a special month for the LGBT community,” said Super Bowl Champion Brendon Ayanbadejo. “I am extremely excited that the NFLPA’s One Team Shop is adding its name to the list of ever-growing allies. The simple fact that football players believe in equality for every human being is going to make an impact on a lot of peoples’ lives.” Steve Gleason, a former NFL Player supporting this effort said, “It’s pretty simple for me, I believe all people are created equal, regardless of their sexuality. To promote respect and acceptance is an important role for NFL players and the NFLPA.”

The One Team Pride Shirts include the option to add the jersey number of the following players: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Connor Barwin, Scott Fujita, Steve Gleason, Chris Gocong, Chris Kluwe, Donte' Stallworth, Terrell Suggs and Eric Winston.

Now, you KNOW I'm totally getting the Chris Kluwe shirt.

Head over to One Team Shop by clicking here to take a look.  Then BUY something :)

Brendon Ayanbadejo on Anderson Cooper 360

NFL and Super Bowl champion Brendon Ayanbadejo appeared on Anderson Cooper 360 to discuss overcoming barriers and accepting gay athletes.

Brendon Ayanbadejo: Possibly four players considering coming out on same day

Brendon Ayanbadejo appeared on MSNBC with Thomas Roberts to discuss his release from the Baltimore Ravens plus his comments about multiple NFL players possibly coming out on a single day.

In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, Brendon had said there are players - possibly four - in the NFL considering coming out at the same time to take the pressure off one player:

"I think it [an openly gay player] will happen sooner than you think. We’re in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now and they’re trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out.

“Of course, there would be backlash. If they could share the backlash, it would be more positive. It’s cool. It’s exciting. We’re in talks with a few guys who are considering it. The NFL and organizations are already being proactive and open if a player does it and if something negative happens. We’ll see what happens.”

Brendon Ayanbedejo cut by Baltimore Ravens

Marriage equality ally Brendon Ayanbadejo's contract was terminated by the Baltimore Ravens yesterday, Newsday reports:

At tonight’s Straight for Equality Gala in Manhattan where he and Vikings punter Chris Kluwe were being honored, Ayanbadejo said his non-football activities were a factor in the Ravens’ decision.

“My bark is louder than my bite,” he told Newsday. “I make a lot of noise and garner a lot of attention for various things off the football field. When that starts happening, why do you have that player around?”

Ayanbadejo said he understands it’s just a piece of the ultimate decision. The three-time Pro Bowler as a special teamer said he knows the Ravens can find players to do what he does for less money and conceded that his productivity has gone down in recent years.

“But,” he said, “I don’t necessarily think that teams want this type of attention.”

The Ravens say it had nothing to do with that:

"We are surprised that Brendan would indicate that," said Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne. "We have always respected Brendan's opinions and his right to express them. He was released for football reasons, period."

UPDATE - Brendon posted the following statement on his Facebook page clarifying he was NOT cut for speaking out about marriage equality:

"Just a heads up I did an interview today and no way said I was cut because my views. I said my talk was louder than my production and at 36 when you are not producing it is a fair move. You can find cheaper guys to do what I do. Ravens are the best organization in the NFL period!"

Op-Ed: Brendon Ayanbadejo of Baltimore Ravens for marriage equality & LGBT rights

Brendon Ayanbadejo, of the world champion Baltimore Ravens and LGBT ally, has written a powerful op-ed for USA Today published today, explaining why now is the time for professional athletes to lead when it comes to treating gays and lesbians as equals.

Excerpt:

The NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA should and can be leaders against discrimination. Whether you're a commissioner, an athlete, a coach or a fan, your voice will let every kid out there know that there is a place for him or her in sports. We all can be ourselves and still compete with dignity and at the highest level.

This is our time and our cause. Everything we know as athletes, teammates, spokesmen and vehicles of American pastimes compels us toward the kind of action and camaraderie we saw from Pee Wee Reese nearly 66 years ago. It's as simple as putting our arm around the shoulder of another athlete. It's a gesture; it's a pledge; it's solidarity at its most basic. Our Jackie is coming. We need to pave the way.

Click here to read the entire piece at USA Today. Very well-written, and more importantly, perfectly on point.

The world should take note of how a champion handles himself.

Super Bowl Champion Brendon Ayanbadejo talks with CNN's Don Lemon about gay rights

This.  This is the interview people need to see.

Super Bowl Champion Brendon Aueanbadejo talks to CNN's Don Lemon about his mission to support equal rights for the LGBT community. He is clear, strong and articulate on the subject.

This is how someone speaks when they know what they feel. Go back and watch Chris Culliver speak to the press about his "apology" for his anti-gay comments. He looks dazed, confused and shocked.

Now look at Brendon here. This is a champion.

Just some of Brendon's statements in this great interview with Don Lemon:

• "I don't consider it gay rights. I just call it rights. Everyone deserves to be treated equally, said Ayanbadejo, kicking off a discussion about his advocacy for marriage equality, Chris Culliver's remarks, what he thinks about people that call being gay an abomination, and the other straight athlete allies working to bring acceptance of LGBT people to sports."

• "Now that I'm a Super Bowl champion now my voice just projects that much further and hopefully it can lead to more change and more positive things for the LGBT community."

• "Everyone's been talking to gay people their whole lives whether we know it or not. We really believe that you're born gay. I've had plenty of conversations with people that are gay and they say they are born gay, no different than me being born this beautiful almond coconut color that I am. People are born gay. So why treat them any differently? It's time that we treat everyone fairly. And not only are we trying to dictate who people should love. We're also trying to dictate who people should be. If a woman wants to wear a man's clothes or a man wants to wear a woman's clothes or you feel like you're a woman on the inside and you're really a man. Who cares? Let's just treat everybody equally. Let's move on. Let's evolve as a culture, as a people."

• When asked about Chris Culliver's remarks: "I think more than anything it's going to be a learning experience for him...We have to start talking about this issue. There's groups like Athlete Ally, and myself, Chris Kluwe, Scott Fujita. We're all about inclusiveness in sports and treating everyone equally... It's unfortunate that he made the comments. I know he's sorry for them, and I know he's gonna make it right when he gets the opportunity to do so."

• How do you address people who say being gay is an abomination? "I say that this Constitution gives you the right to believe in whatever you want to believe in... Don't use those same rights to disenfranchise others."

• Brendon says he does not know any closeted players but says he's working with other allies so that when a player does decide to come out he'll have help: "When our Jackie Robinson does come out he's going to have a supporting cast around him."

Super Bowl Champions Baltimore Ravens' Brendon Ayanbedejo for marriage equality

Fresh on the heels of his win at the Super Bowl comes this retooled video by Brendon Ayanbadejo for the Respect for Marriage Coalition expressing his common sense support for marriage equality.

Clear and articulate, Brendon succinctly lays out the reasons why marriage equality makes sense.

Want to see how a champion looks at life? Here you go.

Congratulations Brendon and all the Baltimore Ravens on your Super Bowl victory!

Baltimore Ravens - Super Bowl Champs

This is why I'm pulling for the Baltimore Ravens

So I haven't followed the sports handicappers to see who thinks who should win.

BUT - Brendan Ayanbadejo's courageous support for equal rights for all (plus SF 49ers Chris Culliver's thoughtless anti-gay statements this week) makes it clear who I would like to see win this year's Super Bowl.

Plus, the Ravens have cooler costumes.

Go Brendan! Go Ravens!

NFL's Brendon Ayanbadejo & Chris Kluwe respond to Chris Culliver's anti-gay remarks

Baltimore Raven Brendon Ayanbadejo's reaction to Chris Culliver's anti-gay remarks:

"You know, I think that in San Francisco, and being from the Bay Area myself, that's something that we really try to preach -- love and acceptance of everybody. And so I couldn't really even say anything negative to the young man. It's just one of those things where you have to live and you have to learn. And I said earlier on (a TV broadcast) -- in the words of Martin Luther King, you can't fight hate with hate. You have to fight hate with love. We've all made our mistakes, we've all been there and done certain things, and we've hurt people regardless if we meant to do it or not. But more than anything it's an opportunity to have a learning experience."

 

And the Minnesota Vikings Chris Kluwe had this to say:

"While he’s certainly entitled to speak his mind, Culliver is a role model whether he likes it or not. There are kids all over the United States who aspire to be right where he is and he has an obligation to consider the effect of his words. Kids are listening.”