Brebdon Ayanbadejo promises to fight for Equality
How cool is Brendon Ayanbadejo?
NHL or MLB, most of which are likely to go away with support and
acceptance from the straight community. As leaders and even role models
for millions of young people across the globe, professional athletes
have the ability to fundamentally eliminate prejudice from our sport and
live up to the incredible privilege we enjoy.
At its best,
sports do not discriminate. If you are young or old, tall or short, male
or female, gay or straight, all that really matters is how well you
play and contribute to your team.
The NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA
should and can be leaders against discrimination. Whether you’re a
commissioner, an athlete, a coach or a fan, your voice will let every
kid out there know that there is a place for him or her in sports. We
all can be ourselves and still compete with dignity and at the highest
level.
This is our time and our cause. Everything we know as
athletes, teammates, spokesmen and vehicles of American pastimes compels
us toward the kind of action and camaraderie we saw from Pee Wee Reese
nearly 66 years ago. It’s as simple as putting our arm around the
shoulder of another athlete. It’s a gesture; it’s a pledge; it’s
solidarity at its most basic. Our Jackie is coming. We need to pave the
way.”
