“What is the true price of fame? The price of fame is what you risk when you have the platform. As an athlete, a role model for society, people listen to you. As an athlete, when you make a statement, that statement is heard, no matter what that statement is.

Speak up for LBGTQ rights, for human rights, for empathy? The world will pay attention, and take notice. Stay silent, keep your head down, count the money and endorsements? The world will pay attention, and take notice. Either way, you’re the one who has to live with what you did or didn’t do. I hope that athletes speak out at Sochi on LBGTQ issues, even knowing the possible risks that await them.

“I know that it could cost them their livelihoods, their careers, everything they’ve worked towards. I know that it can lead to recriminations, harsh words from a public who just wants their entertainment, no matter how much blood it’s packaged in. I know that it’s one of the hardest steps a person can take, and that there is no guarantee of a reward at the end, other than knowing you did the right thing at the right time with nothing to show for it but angry tweets and emails tempered by the messages of support and affection from those in whose lives you made a difference, those currently being abused by the oppressive and ignorant.”

sidenote –

Chris Kluwe vs. Minnesota Vikings is far from over. In fact, the situation is now set to escalate into the litigation phase.

On Thursday the team announced that Kluwe’s nemesis Mike Priefer will stay as Vikings special teams coach, and Kluwe now likely will sue. At least that was the indication from Kluwe’s lawyer, who spoke to a Twin Cities media figure about the team’s decision to retain Priefer.

Kluwe’s lawyer Clayton Halunen used strong language in denouncing the Vikings’ decision to keep Priefer on board. Kluwe accuses Priefer of using homophobic slurs in the Vikings’ locker room, and says the team’s decision to fire him as punter had nothing to do with performance but was rather motivated by personal animus.  read the full article.