Avery Would Welcome Gay Player
Chris Stevenson at the Toronto Sun reports that Sean Avery is willing to support a hockey player who might feel intimidated by the decision to openly declare his sexual orientation..."If there's a kid in Canada or wherever, who is playing and really loves the game and wants to keep playing but he's worried about coming out, I'd tell him to pick up the phone and call (NHLPA executive director) Donald Fehr and tell him to book me a (plane) ticket.
"I'll stand beside him in the dressing room while he tells his teammates he is gay. Maybe if Sean Avery is there, they would have less of a problem with it."
...with Avery being such a fashion buff you would think he's gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
...in all seriousness, I've got to say I'm shocked that a major sports figure hasn't come out yet. I really do think society is more than ready to embrace a gay sports figure. Will there be some idiots during games giving the player the business? Sure. But I can't imagine that every player on that guy's team wouldn't be ready to come to his aid. And I'm positive once that player makes a big play or helps win a champioship no one will care what his sexual orientation is.
...i give Avery major props for his statements.
...h/t to reader Erica.
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Who knew my blog was the place for the gay Ranger fan to get their Blueshirts news. Pretty cool.
It surprises me too that no well-known gay sports figure has come out. In today's sports world, we have dog killers, rapists, murderers. Sadly that stuff is "acceptable" but a gay person isn't allowed to get married. And I can't imagine gay ribbing would be any worse.
-from another gay reader
Hell yeah! Avery is always the man. There alot of d-bags in hockey thats for sure, i know alot at BU that may not be so accepting of gay athletes, but no one needs that kind of crap in their life. Its stressful enough trying to make it in the NHL no matter how much talent you have.
As one of your readers, as a Rangers fan, and as a Gay man, I have to thank you for posting this article. Hats off to you and to Avery for your forward thinking!
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@ErickLaza Thanks Erick. We don't discriminate here at The New York Rangers Blog. Unless you're an Islanders fan.
