My dawg K-pup sent  me a text early in the AM on yesterday. He shared with me the story about Jason Collins coming out. As I sat their groggy-eyed thinking about Collins, I realized one thing: who is this guy? In a nut shell, that’s how I look at sports! I care about the sport and the competitiveness; not about you being gay.Your orientation is yours and yours alone. I’ve written ad nauseam about this issue, writing a three-part series about how to properly frame the gay argument and even writing a chapter in my book that’s coming out soon entitled God the Bible and Politics. In looking at this issue, I remember a young open lesbian who used to talk about her basketball skills, K-pup and I looked beyond the obvious. We cared about her skills and pridefully not losing to a “girl”, and more personally for me losing to either one them. I say this jokingly!

Now for the subject of this post… Chris Broussard, who covers the NBA for ESPN made these comments:

“I don’t agree with homosexuality,” he said. “I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is.”  “I realize that some people disagree with my opinion, and I accept and respect that,” he wrote. “As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement … and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA.”

My question about tolerance is to be able accept others even when we disagree. I read the comments from people after Broussard’s piece and they said, well they always have to bring up the Bible. Your belief came from somewhere didn’t it; we’re all influenced one way or another. His comments were fine. Notice, most importantly what he said, “as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is.” If you believe in the words of the Bible, it isn’t silent about sin and what sin is. Look, if you have accepted God’s grace, then you have signed a blood contract on do’s and dont’s, what’s acceptable and not acceptable! We can’t argue against that and if you want to argue, argue by yourself. Simply read for yourself what Scripture says about sin. What we can talk about is love and acceptance.

What I may disagree with is soap box commentating. Was this the platform to talk about the issue of sin? Why not simply disagree with homosexuality, do you have to invoke Scripture on the air, during a sporting event. If he (Chris) thought so, then stand by your convictions. For players to feel uncomfortable is lame, I was in the ARMY, and if you know anything about that, there’s no such thing as privacy. If you are worried about  someone looking at your private parts: don’t play sports or join the armed services. To wonder what “gay” people are thinking is even more lame, they think the same as you, “I can’t wait to get back to my boo.”

Even Jason Collins has admitted he’s a Christian:

“This is all about tolerance and acceptance and America is the best country in the world because we’re all entitled to our opinions and beliefs but we don’t have to agree,” he said. “And obviously I don’t agree with his statement.”

This shouldn’t be about right or left and it shouldn’t in any way be political. Collins has to be careful if he wants to invoke God and the Bible. Scripture isn’t kind to “SIN”, not homosexuality; but “SIN.” You have to be in line with God’s word and not how you personally feel. If you work for a company it has rules, the same as the Scripture. It’s not my job to judge Jason, I’m simply pointing out the book and God he serves. There will be opposition, he has to expect that.

I’m not in the NBA, but I am a fan with an opinion, hence why I have a blog. We have to look at the issue two ways and it’s simple. Some players will be accepting while, I may add, others will not. I do believe the right man came forward. He is   a consummate professional with no sullied past. He didn’t light the basketball world on fire though, averaging only 3 points and 3 rebounds per game. In the end this is something that will take care of itself and time will be the greatest judge. If players are uncomfortable at first, that’s fair and understandable. If they are critical because he is gay, then that’s on them as men.

Overall, everyone  has a right, to express their thoughts, and “WE”, have to be accepting of everyone’s differences; and yes I spanked both of em on the court!

Written by The NON-Conformist