Washington Wizards center Jason Collins reveals he is gay

[e_blazer]

That line's either an intentional, albeit old-fashioned slur, or... weird.

Or scriptural. The quote that Broussard is referring to is from Matthew 7:15-23 ...

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

It relates to false prophets. As far as I know, Collins wasn't prophesying to anyone.

 

[santeesioux]

Holy shit, we have a real opportunity to get this hack fired, i hope a gay rights groups calls Espn on it, they'll buck under pressure.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I guess it is a shame that we won't know if this "Bible says such and such" stuff is legit until we die and at that point we can't tell anyone whether they should let it shape their opinions or not.

I think we can be pretty sure about the parts that say things like bats are birds and that pi=3.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Or scriptural.

That's covered by weird.

 

[santeesioux]

So he should not learn from his mistake and use his power/ influence to do something positive?

Of course he can and should if he wants to, but tlong is right.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

You mean, like Timmy H.?

[video=youtube;dr7v_UCsdzc]

George Takei is a crackup and he posts some funny sh!t on facebook.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I also expect ESPN wil fire Broussard, but I have to give him massive respect for being willing to be open and honest about his commentary, knowing full well that it will cost him his job. Also, it should be noted that he made a point to identify "an openly homosexual lifestyle" (read, homosexual sex) as the issue, equating it with pre-marital sex (and I would presume adultery as well). Of course, there would be much more validity to his stance if he had previously denounced the debaucherous lifestyle commonly enjoyed and celebrated by nearly every other NBA athlete...

 

[santeesioux]

Ha ha, Espn should fire Broussard and hire Collins in his place if a team doesn't sign him. Would be hilarious.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I've never quite understood why some Christians feel the need to apply Christian doctrine to those who choose not to follow it, and to do so in a vehement, public manner.

If Jason Collins is a professing Christian and places himself under church authority, then his church (and not a columnist) has the responsibility to confront him on "unrepentant sin." If Collins chooses to live in "unrepentant sin" rather than submit to church discipline, then he leaves the church. Simple. Same as happens every day with those who divorce in a manner not conforming to their church's application of doctrine. You are free to live your life as you'd like, but to be a member of the body of Christ you have to submit to Christian life. And if you choose to live an openly hypocritical life, you are open to being called out as heretic on it.

However, if Collins doesn't care a whit about Christianity, doesn't recognize that Jesus is Lord of his life (literally, has the ability to tell you what to do and how to live), and doesn't have any desire to: why is someone bringing up anything Christian at all?

Edit: Seems like Platypus said it while I was typing.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I also expect ESPN wil fire Broussard, but I have to give him massive respect for being willing to be open and honest about his commentary, knowing full well that it will cost him his job. Also, it should be noted that he made a point to identify "an openly homosexual lifestyle" (read, homosexual sex) as the issue, equating it with pre-marital sex (and I would presume adultery as well). Of course, there would be much more validity to his stance if he had previously denounced the debaucherous lifestyle commonly enjoyed and celebrated by nearly every other NBA athlete...

Agree. I don't know why it's the case, but take a look at interviews with Dwight Howard as an 18y/o and look at his lifestyle today. If you want to use the "those without sin cast the first stone" approach I get it (I don't like it, but I get it), but if you're not going to call players out for divorce, adultery, pre-marital sex, etc--why are you starting in when it's homosexual sex?

 

[e_blazer]

Broussard gave his opinion as to whether Collins can be a Christian if he's living a lifestyle that is sinful. As a Christian, I think Broussard is off the mark in his theology, but he's entitled to his opinion and did nothing more than express it as such. He didn't say that Collins shouldn't be allowed to play in the NBA or that he should be in any way discriminated against. I suspect ESPN will have a meeting with Chris and tell him that he should keep his personal religious positions out of his reportage since they're not paying him to cover religious philosophy. That said, are some of you really willing to see a guy lose his means of support simply because he dares to state his beliefs and they differ from yours?

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I also expect ESPN wil fire Broussard, but I have to give him massive respect for being willing to be open and honest about his commentary, knowing full well that it will cost him his job. Also, it should be noted that he made a point to identify "an openly homosexual lifestyle" (read, homosexual sex) as the issue, equating it with pre-marital sex (and I would presume adultery as well). Of course, there would be much more validity to his stance if he had previously denounced the debaucherous lifestyle commonly enjoyed and celebrated by nearly every other NBA athlete...

He deserves absolutely no respect for that. Massive respect? Wow, ridiculous.

 

[Natebishop3]

I also expect ESPN wil fire Broussard, but I have to give him massive respect for being willing to be open and honest about his commentary, knowing full well that it will cost him his job. Also, it should be noted that he made a point to identify "an openly homosexual lifestyle" (read, homosexual sex) as the issue, equating it with pre-marital sex (and I would presume adultery as well). Of course, there would be much more validity to his stance if he had previously denounced the debaucherous lifestyle commonly enjoyed and celebrated by nearly every other NBA athlete...

I've never really liked Chris Broussard. He never came off as very intelligent to me, and I think this video proves that. This was not a smart move. He chose to be a mouthpiece for ESPN, and he went on national TV and made himself and his company look bad. This guy is paid for his opinion on professional basketball, not social or religious issues. I could see this if he was presenting it as a popular opinion among players. If he said, "this is why many players will not accept an openly gay teammate," he might have gotten away with it. Unfortunately for him, instead he presented it as a matter of fact, and his own personal opinion.

Nobody cares about your opinion Chris. You're a talking head. You're a mouthpiece. You're not even a player or front office guy. It would be one thing if someone was explaining how this might affect his career. How he might be treated in the locker room, or if he will have trouble finding work in the NBA after this announcement. I really couldn't care less what some national writer thinks about homosexuals. I hope he does lose his job.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Broussard gave his opinion as to whether Collins can be a Christian if he's living a lifestyle that is sinful. As a Christian, I think Broussard is off the mark in his theology, but he's entitled to his opinion and did nothing more than express it as such. He didn't say that Collins shouldn't be allowed to play in the NBA or that he should be in any way discriminated against. I suspect ESPN will have a meeting with Chris and tell him that he should keep his personal religious positions out of his reportage since they're not paying him to cover religious philosophy. That said, are some of you really willing to see a guy lose his means of support simply because he dares to state his beliefs and they differ from yours?

It doesn't make it right but people are fired for far less in today's world. Public pressure alone is going to make ESPN at least suspend him. They have to make it known that he doesn't speak for them on this issue even those he was speaking on their network.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Simmons got a twitter ban just for saying that First Take had an "awful and embarrassing" segment (Personally I think they have MANY). I don't think there's any way Broussard comes out of this unscathed.

And I agree that he's not in my upper echelon of commentators.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Brussard is absolutely welcome to his opinions and beliefs but this isnt the CNBA (Christian National Basketball Association) nor is it CESPN so he is not paid to voice his opinion on that issue.

 

[e_blazer]

I'd like to know the context of the situation regarding Broussard. What was said beforehand that caused him to go into his comments on whether Collins can be considered a Christian? It would seem bizarre to me that he would launch into this statement, just because Collins announces he's gay, without someone putting a specific question to him.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I'd like to know the context of the situation regarding Broussard. What was said beforehand that caused him to go into his comments on whether Collins can be considered a Christian? It would seem bizarre to me that he would launch into this statement, just because Collins announces he's gay, without someone putting a specific question to him.

Doesnt really matter, to me anyway. It wasnt the proper forum to discuss it and if he was a professional he would have handled it as such.

Although I do have the same curiosity and it makes me realize that he shouldnt have been baited into it if he was smart

 

[Natebishop3]

Broussard gave his opinion as to whether Collins can be a Christian if he's living a lifestyle that is sinful. As a Christian, I think Broussard is off the mark in his theology, but he's entitled to his opinion and did nothing more than express it as such. He didn't say that Collins shouldn't be allowed to play in the NBA or that he should be in any way discriminated against. I suspect ESPN will have a meeting with Chris and tell him that he should keep his personal religious positions out of his reportage since they're not paying him to cover religious philosophy. That said, are some of you really willing to see a guy lose his means of support simply because he dares to state his beliefs and they differ from yours?

When you sign on to be a representative for a major corporation like ESPN/Disney, you agree to follow their doctrine. He is being paid a hefty sum of money to give his opinion on basketball. This opinion had nothing to do with basketball, and he's free to share that opinion but I think it will cost him his job.

Let me give you an example. If you were interviewed on national TV, and you gave an opinion on being against gay marriage, but you also represented yourself as Joe Schmoe from such and such company, that company would be well within their rights to fire you because you gave a negative impression of that company. Chris Broussard represents ESPN by association. He is paid for that. When someone thinks of Chris Broussard, they want them to think of ESPN. That's the whole point of paying these guys the kind of money they get paid. So when one of the talking heads says something that is unpopular, they are representing ESPN by association. That is why he will be fired.

 

[Boise Blazer]

When you sign on to be a representative for a major corporation like ESPN/Disney, you agree to follow their doctrine. He is being paid a hefty sum of money to give his opinion on basketball. This opinion had nothing to do with basketball, and he's free to share that opinion but I think it will cost him his job.

Let me give you an example. If you were interviewed on national TV, and you gave an opinion on being against gay marriage, but you also represented yourself as Joe Schmoe from such and such company, that company would be well within their rights to fire you because you gave a negative impression of that company. Chris Broussard represents ESPN by association. He is paid for that. When someone thinks of Chris Broussard, they want them to think of ESPN. That's the whole point of paying these guys the kind of money they get paid. So when one of the talking heads says something that is unpopular, they are representing ESPN by association. That is why he will be fired.

As well he should be. Havent enough guys in his position ran their mouth for others to learn the lesson?

 

[e_blazer]

When you sign on to be a representative for a major corporation like ESPN/Disney, you agree to follow their doctrine. He is being paid a hefty sum of money to give his opinion on basketball. This opinion had nothing to do with basketball, and he's free to share that opinion but I think it will cost him his job.

Let me give you an example. If you were interviewed on national TV, and you gave an opinion on being against gay marriage, but you also represented yourself as Joe Schmoe from such and such company, that company would be well within their rights to fire you because you gave a negative impression of that company. Chris Broussard represents ESPN by association. He is paid for that. When someone thinks of Chris Broussard, they want them to think of ESPN. That's the whole point of paying these guys the kind of money they get paid. So when one of the talking heads says something that is unpopular, they are representing ESPN by association. That is why he will be fired.

Interesting point of view, Nate. Suppose you were interviewed on national TV and you gave an opinion on being FOR gay marriage, but you also represented yourself as Joe Schmoe from such and such company. Would that company would be within their rights to fire you because they felt your statement gave a negative impression of that company to the people who use their products?

BTW, I agree with the first paragraph of your post. That's why I asked what the context was for Broussard's comments. I think that it's a considerably different situation if someone asked him, say, how he felt about Collins' announcement in light of some position Collins had taken in the past to represent himself as a Christian athelete, than if Broussard spouted off his opinions randomly.

 

[Natebishop3]

As well he should be. Havent enough guys in his position ran their mouth for others to learn the lesson?

I'm sure it was something that he obviously didn't think through, and I think it would be different if this was some kind of political show where the guy was paid to be opinionated and controversial. Unfortunately for him, ESPN pays him to break news and give opinions on the NBA. I just really don't see any way he comes out of this with his job still intact. I guess it depends on how viral the video goes.

 

[santeesioux]

I guess it depends on how viral the video goes.

It was all over Twitter until the Seattle Sacramento news came out.

 

[Natebishop3]

Interesting point of view, Nate. Suppose you were interviewed on national TV and you gave an opinion on being FOR gay marriage, but you also represented yourself as Joe Schmoe from such and such company. Would that company would be within their rights to fire you because they felt your statement gave a negative impression of that company to the people who use their products?

Absolutely. When you represent a company, or present yourself as a representative of that company, you open yourself up to being fired because of something you said. If said company felt that my comments were to negatively impact them, they could and probably would fire me. Of course, if a company fired someone for being pro-gay marriage they would probably have to deal with a huge shit storm of negative press, but I don't think I could sue them because it was my fault for saying "Joe Schmoe from such and such a company".

On the flip side, if I gave an opinion on gay marriage and didn't represent myself as working for anyone, then they would be out of bounds for firing me. If I was just "Nate from Portland," I would have legal grounds to sue for wrongful termination. Unfortunately for Chris Broussard, any time he speaks he is "Chris Broussard from ESPN" and in this case he was ON ESPN giving the interview. That's what they pay him for, that's what he signed on for, and that's what is most likely going to end his career at ESPN. I have signed an ESPN contract, and that shit is long and full of all kinds of clauses.

 

[jlprk]

I haven't read the thread, so I'm sorry if this has already been said, but...assuming Jason's twin Jarron is gay (they shared genes, I am told), and Jarron and John Amaechi were Jazz teammates in 2001-03 (Jarron's first seasons and Amaechi's last), it brings up the obvious question, is Jerry Sloan (and by extension, Norm van Lier, Dick Motta, and most suspicious due to name Bob Love) part of a gigantic secret gay clique who control the NBA?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I haven't read the thread, so I'm sorry if this has already been said, but...assuming Jason's twin Jarron is gay (they shared genes, I am told), and Jarron and John Amaechi were Jazz teammates in 2001-03 (Jarron's first seasons and Amaechi's last), it brings up the obvious question, is Jerry Sloan (and by extension, Norm van Lier, Dick Motta, and most suspicious due to name Bob Love) part of a gigantic secret gay clique who control the NBA?

Sorry, that was already discussed and mostly dismissed.

 

[Sedatedfork]

jlprk -- it must be the gay mafia

[video=youtube;UPw-3e_pzqU]

 

[jlprk]

You notice that 2001 was the Twin Towers? Were they the only gay Jazz, or was there a third, just like Building 47?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Broussard shouldn't be fired, because then the ACLU would be forced to defend him. He should just be moved to the Nascar/rodeo beat so he can be around decent god-fearin' folk.

 

[Natebishop3]

Sorry, that was already discussed and mostly dismissed.

Yes, it's really too bad that Jlprk didn't read the thread because Jerry Sloan actually posted a comment denying any and all participation in a gigantic secret gay clique that controls the NBA.