Tonight, as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the first Monday Night Football of the 2012 season, I’ll be cheering for the Ravens not just because I have their defense on my fantasy league, but because of their All-Pro linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo and his unwavering support for marriage equality.
Ayanbadejo has been an outspoken ally since 2011, but last week Maryland House of Delegates member Emmett C. Burns Jr. sent a letter to Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, asking for the team to curb Ayanbadejo’s support of the issue. The letter states:
“I find it inconceivable that one of your players, Mr. Brendon Ayanbadejo would publicly endorse Same-Sex marriage, specifically as a Raven Football player. Many of my constituents and your football supporters are appalled and aghast that a member of the Ravens Football Team would step into this controversial divide and try to sway public opinion one way or the other.
“Many of your fans are opposed to such a view and feel it has no place in a sport that is strictly for pride, entertainment and excitement.,” Burns wrote. “I believe Mr. Ayanbadejo should concentrate on football and steer clear of dividing the fan base.
“I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a National Football League Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employees and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions. I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing.”
Instead of caving, Ayanbadejo took to Twitter to make a stand, tweeting, “Football is just my job it’s not who I am. I am an American before anything. And just like every American I have the right to speak!!!” The president of the organization, Dick Cass, has also stepped up, standing behind his player with a letter of response and saying, “We support Brendon’s right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment.”
The letter also enraged Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe. So much so that he wrote a public response on Deadspin.com that has us giving major kudos to Kluwe.
“How does gay marriage, in any way shape or form, affect your life? If gay marriage becomes legal, are you worried that all of a sudden you’ll start thinking about penis? “Oh shit. Gay marriage just passed. Gotta get me some of that hot dong action!” Will all of your friends suddenly turn gay and refuse to come to your Sunday Ticket grill-outs? (Unlikely, since gay people enjoy watching football too.)”
*Cue slow hand clap*
(I urge you to read the letter in its entirety. Go here for a clean version.)
The reaction has caused Burns to alter his opinion, and on Sunday backtracked in an interview with the Baltimore Sun saying, “Upon reflection, he has his First Amendment rights. And I have my First Amendment rights. … Each of us has the right to speak our opinions. The football player and I have a right to speak our minds.”
As Kluwe so eloquently stated, “In closing, I would like to say that I hope this letter, in some small way, causes you to reflect upon the magnitude of the colossal foot in mouth cluster**** you so brazenly unleashed on a man whose only crime was speaking out for something he believed in. Best of luck in the next election; I’m fairly certain you might need it.”
Photo: facebook.com
