I'm not overly excited about the Spurs/Heat match-up for the NBA Finals this year. Normally, watching any basketball is a decent way to spend time, no matter the level of play. I still think OKC would be in this if Westbrook wasn't injured, but they all have bigger fish to fry in that part of the country right now and the actual games aren't the point of my rant.
I want to slap Roy Hibbert.
I'm not going to get on a plane and hunt him down to slap him. I know that physically slapping him wouldn't do any good or solve anything. Commissioner Stern already fined him for his mouth, although 75,000 dollars to him is probably like me forgetting to pay a parking ticket. So, I will slap him the only way I can--the blog slap.
The homophobia in sports is just irritating. The heterocentric nature of some sports, especially among males, has got to go. I remember a season or two ago, Kobe had to pay a 100K fine for calling a ref a "fa**ot" after they disagreed on a call. News flash dude, the cameras are rolling, the world is watching. You are a role model. I don't care about "just because I dunk a basketball, I shouldn't raise your kids" Barkley commercial from when I was a kid. You are a role model. You are a role model. You are a role model. When you sign that contract, you become a role model, for better or worse. Kids look up to you and want to be like you. Call me crazy, but I think that calls for an ounce of social responsibility. Don't want any responsibility? Accountability? SEE: ALLEN IVERSON.
When Jason Collins came out early this year, there was a bit of the "Nobody celebrates openly Christian athletes, like Tim Tebow." I also don't recall anyone mocking any Christian athletes or using anti-Christian slurs during press conferences. I don't remember reading any stories about kids committing suicide for being teased about being Christian or being perceived as being Christian on the radar lately.
Kids who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, or PERCEIVED as such, are often the targets of bullies. Growing up sucks enough, but imagine being bullied and possibly having to keep that type of secret about who you are from your friends and family. Brittney Griner, who plays for the Mercury, was asked to keep her sexuality to herself when she played at Baylor, as her coach feared it would hurt the recruiting process at the Christian university.
According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, between 30 and 40% of LGBT youth, depending on age and sex groups, have attempted suicide. We need more Brittney Griner and Jason Collins-caliber athletes to come out and be role models for these kids. We need the Kobe Bryants and Roy Hibberts of the world to realize the power and impact that their words have.
Maybe Roy should take another 75K and deliver it to a youth center or counseling program. He might save a life.
