Tony Dungy Should Just Own His Homophobia Already

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

In the least shocking incident of the NFL off-season, football moral compass and former Bucs/Colts head coach Tony Dungy publicly stated that he wouldn't have selected Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the history of the NFL Draft.

I say least shocking because, if you know anything about Tony Dungy, you know he is a devout Christian who has spoken out in favor of a Gay Marriage ban in Indiana, and taken President Barack Obama to task, albeit briefly, on Twitter for "veering from the Biblical interpretation" of marriage.

Here is Dungy's exact quote on Sam.

“I wouldn’t have taken him,’’ Dungy told the Tampa Tribune. “Not because I don’t believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn’t want to deal with all of it. It’s not going to be totally smooth . . . things will happen.’’

That's all fine and dandy. The former Super Bowl winning coach is entitled to his faith and his views. This is America, after all.

My issue is that a man who used to occupy what is essentially a hiring position (NFL head coach) outright said he wouldn't hire someone because they are a minority… And we take that as a "stance."

So, I Guess an Athlete Being Gay is Still a Big Deal

Jason Collins (left) became the first openly gay NBA player Sunday night, and Michael Sam (right) is the NFL's first openly gay draft prospect.

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

The other night Jason Collins became the first openly gay player in NBA history.

Collins, who signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets, made his first appearance since "coming out" Sunday, and was as unremarkable on the court as he has been his entire career.

In 11 minutes, he grabbed a pair of rebounds, somehow amassed five fouls, missed his only shot attempt and committed two turnovers. What was remarkable, to some people apparently, was that the ground did not open up and swallow Collins into eternal damnation.