"Tuaolo, who played for five NFL teams, said a major reason for his early retirement in 1999 was the difficulty and frustration that came with keeping his sexual orientation a secret."
"The 'Real Sports' segment also features ESPN's Sterling Sharpe, a former teammate of Tuaolo's with the Packers.
When Sharpe was asked what would have happened if Tuaolo came out while he was still playing in the NFL, Sharpe said: 'He would have been eaten alive and he would have been hated for it.'"
Is this really an issue to anybody? I understand the ramifications of a gay guy being in the locker room and all that rot. But does anybody else think this screams of "publicity for a guy trying to make a singing career" and not a great moment in sports history?
Well, have any former NFL players come out? Other than that, there's no real issue here. I don't doubt that there's plenty of closeted players. But I think they knew what they were getting into.
Originally posted by drjayphdWell, have any former NFL players come out?
Dave Kopay, along with one other whose name escapes me (saw it on Sportscenter last night).
As written in a biography of Lombardi (When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss), there were known gay players on the 60s Packers. Vince's brother was gay, and Vince threatened releasing anyone on the team who would discriminate a teammate on the basis of race or sexual orientation. So, maybe Sterling's comments about being eaten alive by teammates wouldn't actually have happened.
Originally posted by drjayphdWell, have any former NFL players come out?
Dave Kopay, along with one other whose name escapes me (saw it on Sportscenter last night).
As written in a biography of Lombardi (When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss), there were known gay players on the 60s Packers. Vince's brother was gay, and Vince threatened releasing anyone on the team who would discriminate a teammate on the basis of race or sexual orientation. So, maybe Sterling's comments about being eaten alive by teammates wouldn't actually have happened.
But Lombardi aint the coach anymore. And maybe the guys teamates would accept, but the other teams would make the guys life hell....
When a chicken in this neighborhood gets angry, it will chase you down...
Originally posted by GrimisBut does anybody else think this screams of "publicity for a guy trying to make a singing career" and not a great moment in sports history?
Well, Tuaolo DOES sing. He sang the national anthem, in full game uniform, at Lambeau prior to the Packers-Bears game in 1991. (Which I think we lost...dammit.)
And he did it damn well, I might add.
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy. . . THE THRILL ACW-TV/Home Video Technical Director Emeritus...and A2NWO 4 Life!
OK I know this is a sensitive issue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .But am I the only one who laughed at Sharpe's "He would be eaten alive" comment? :)
"What do you mean 'Parts Unknown'? Are you telling me he doesn't have a social security number so we can track him down? How does he get a paycheck?" - G. Monsoon
Maybe he meant he was gonna be the (Bud)Man of the year. I guess I'm just a sucker, because I actually believed him when he came out and took blame a few weeks ago and sounded very contrite.
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