Hardaway hates gays...

[ricoFlame]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2766213

Very politically correct, and very smart by hardaway on this one ...pretty dumb.

[GirlySports]

We know where we stand. Many NBA players in the last week or so have stated that they dont want a gay teammate. LeBron even said that if a gay guy didnt come out, it would be a backstab.

We want our athletes and media to be honest and not give the '110% percent' every time. But this was really really harsh. "I hate gay people" goes outside of the realm of sports.

What about the NHL?

-----

Those holding their breath for a past or present-day NHLer to proclaim a preference in male partners are advised to exhale post-haste. I'm no gambler, but I'd bet a Saskatchewan's worth of farms that any and all elite-level gay hockey players will be stuck in their closets for decades to come.
"A player or ex-player announcing he's gay? No chance whatsoever," said one NHL GM I spoke with Thursday. "You'd have better odds of a guy coming out as a member of Al-Qaeda."

-The Hockey News

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

We know where we stand. Many NBA players in the last week or so have stated that they dont want a gay teammate. LeBron even said that if a gay guy didnt come out, it would be a backstab.

We want our athletes and media to be honest and not give the '110% percent' every time. But this was really really harsh. "I hate gay people" goes outside of the realm of sports.

What about the NHL?

-----

Those holding their breath for a past or present-day NHLer to proclaim a preference in male partners are advised to exhale post-haste. I'm no gambler, but I'd bet a Saskatchewan's worth of farms that any and all elite-level gay hockey players will be stuck in their closets for decades to come.
"A player or ex-player announcing he's gay? No chance whatsoever," said one NHL GM I spoke with Thursday. "You'd have better odds of a guy coming out as a member of Al-Qaeda."

-The Hockey News

That Hockey News quote is pretty funny IMO. As for Hardaway, I agree with you, I think everyone likes refreshing statements, but that was taken a bit too far. Most gay people are pretty harmless and wouldn't try pulling something in the locker room, so I don't know why a guy like Hardaway would say something like that. Whatever happened to Hardaway?

[habernac]

I love the detraction at the end of the article. Yeah, uh..... I didn't mean to say that.

Gimme a break, Hardaway.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by fleury

That Hockey News quote is pretty funny IMO. As for Hardaway, I agree with you, I think everyone likes refreshing statements, but that was taken a bit too far. Most gay people are pretty harmless and wouldn't try pulling something in the locker room, so I don't know why a guy like Hardaway would say something like that. Whatever happened to Hardaway?

A bit too far?

"I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

That's more than a bit too far I think.

And when you say "Most gay people are pretty harmless" you sound like you are talking about some sort of dangerous animal like a pit bull instead of a human being.

[worth]

In bad taste yes, but he should be able to say and think what he wants.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by worth

In bad taste yes, but he should be able to say and think what he wants.

No question, and the rest of us can tell him what a bigot he is for thinking the way he does.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by worth

In bad taste yes, but he should be able to say and think what he wants.

If he thinks that, fine, but he should know better than to say it on a live radio show.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

If you want to listen to the comments, click the link below, hit the Tim Hardaway link about a quarter way down the page and go to the end of the interview.

http://www.790theticket.com/shows.ph...w+with+Stugotz

[worth]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

No question, and the rest of us can tell him what a bigot he is for thinking the way he does.

Absolutley.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by habernac

I love the detraction at the end of the article. Yeah, uh..... I didn't mean to say that.

Gimme a break, Hardaway.

At least he hasn't used the "My statement was taken out of context" plea that you hear athletes use all the time. Although that would be tough since the statement came out of his own mouth!

He just apologized and said that he shouldn't have said anything at all. But obviously he still feels that way.

Amaechi spoke on Hardaway's comments to the Miami Herald: "Finally, someone who is honest. It is ridiculous, absurd, petty, bigoted and shows a lack of empathy that is gargantuan and unfathomable. But it is honest. And it illustrates the problem better than any of the fuzzy language other people have used so far."

[ben voyonsdonc]

"I shouldn't have said I hate gay people or anything like that," he said. "That was my mistake."

The mistake isn't saying that he hates gays, the mistake is hating gays.

I kind of appreciate his honesty. Of course what he is saying is dead wrong but at least it could start up a dialogue. Maybe Hardaway will become an "Archie Bunker" type bigot who will have people talking about their prejudices which could lead to issues and myths being debunked.

Shutting up and hiding prejudices does not mean that they don't exist. We can't be afraid of the ugliness of prejudice and need to confront it head-on.

[Saint Troy]

Hardaway basically ruined himself with that outburst, Stern has already closed ranks and Hardaway will never be at an NBA approved function again. I'm still amazed he sat there and said that, and then made sure to reiterate his point, truly no brain to mouth filter in effect.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

Hardaway basically ruined himself with that outburst, Stern has already closed ranks and Hardaway will never be at an NBA approved function again. I'm still amazed he sat there and said that, and then made sure to reiterate his point, truly no brain to mouth filter in effect.

IMO, he said it for effect. IIRC, back in his playing days, he was seen as a major playa wasn't he? (I can't believe I just said that). But yeah, he likely did that to reiterate his reputation of being a ladies man.

[ricoFlame]

ESPN is really making a story of this, at one point there was around 12 seperate links to story's and/or reaction to this incodent. They are really working to sell this stupid book. There's still a bunch of stuff on their main page.

[corporatejay]

Most gay people are pretty harmless and wouldn't try pulling something in the locker room

I don't want to pick on you but I would say "ALL gay people are pretty harmless and wouldn't try anything in the locker room".

If you there was a female hockey player I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be hitting on the men non-stop, and there has to be a certain level of professionalism on a professional sports team, how is it any different than having women from the media in the room?

Would most people be uncomfortable with it at first?? Absolutely, but after it becomes common place no one would think twice about it, and that's why more high profile atheletes need to come out.

[burn_baby_burn]

Hardaway's comments may be honest. But it wasn't that long ago that professional athletes may have had similar comments referring to players of African origin. Things have changed drastically since Jackie Robisnon took the field with the Brooklyn Dodgers. It is just a matter of time before openly gay athletes are playing professional sports.

I find it sad how minority players, such as Chris Carter. Can complain about racism in the NFL. Then openly criticize a former team mate for not coming out of the closet. Discrimination isn't soley based on race alone.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Homophobia crosses racial barriers...it is sad but true. I think the only way to defeat homophobia is to show that is is a serious issue and confront it head on. We have made a lot of progress in the last 5-10 years but more needs to be done.

It would be tough for a male professional athlete to come out right now because of the closet because of the rampant homophobia. However, I have read that NHLers are substantially more open minded to having a gay teammate -- so my money is on an NHL player to be the first to come out.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Homophobia crosses racial barriers...it is sad but true. I think the only way to defeat homophobia is to show that is is a serious issue and confront it head on. We have made a lot of progress in the last 5-10 years but more needs to be done.

It would be tough for a male professional athlete to come out right now because of the closet because of the rampant homophobia. However, I have read that NHLers are substantially more open minded to having a gay teammate -- so my money is on an NHL player to be the first to come out.

nm

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by worth

In bad taste yes, but he should be able to say and think what he wants.

Yup. He certainly can say and think whatever he wants... he just better be ready for the **** storm that'll come with saying garbage like that.