There Goes His Contract
Basketball player Tim Hardaway was recently interviewed by a sports radio station about the situation involving John Amaechi, a former teammate who came out of the closet. Hardaway's comments are degrading and pathetic, further distancing any respect of homosexuals in male sports.
Tim was quoted as saying, “You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world or in the United States."
Then, Tim was asked about what he would do if he was ever on the same team as John Amaechi, and his response was shocking, "First of all, I wouldn’t want him on my team. And second of all, if he was on my team, I would really distance myself from him because, uh, I don’t think that is right. I don’t think he should be in the locker room while we are in the locker room. But stuff like that is going on and there’s a lot of other people I hear that are like that and still in the closet and don’t want to come out of the closet, but you know I just leave that alone.�
Tim's words speak for themself. I wouldn't be surprised about the repercussions that come from these comments. It's obvious this won't bode well with the team, fan base, other players and especially John Amaechi. Maybe he will be forced to go to "rehab" and participate in PRIDE events, like Isiah Washington on Greys Anatomy? Either way, this shows the fear many people have with homosexuality. Who really cares? Our sexuality does not define us, now should we let it. There are so many other ways to represent ourselves and ways to let ourselves be known to others. The choices we make about attraction should not be judged nor used as a vehicle for fear by many.