







Brendon Ayanbadejo is in his 10th season as an NFL linebacker, the last five with the Baltimore Ravens. The two-time All-Pro hails from Santa Cruz, Calif., attended UCLA and throughout his career has lived a vibrant, out-of-football life.

He's written columns for his hometown paper, the Santa Cruz Sentinel. He's fought for federal legislation requiring schools to monitor kids' physical activities and promote proper nutrition. He's worked relentlessly on environmental sustainability issues.

And, of late, he's been a major advocate of same sex marriage, which was legalized in Maryland earlier this year but faces a ballot initiative in November.

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It's that stance, and Ayanbadejo's actions in support, that found him under the wrath of a local pastor and state house of delegates-member Emmett C. Burns Jr. (D-Baltimore County).

Burns went nuts last week, firing off a letter on Maryland House of Delegate letterhead to Ravens owner Steven Bisciotti seeking action against Ayanbadejo.

"I find it inconceivable that one of your players, Mr. Brendon Ayanbadejo would publicly endorse Same-Sex marriage, specifically as a Raven Football player," Burns wrote in the letter first obtained by WBAL-TV. "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 continued. "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."

Oh, boy, where to start?

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I find it inconceivable that an elected politician is in favor of an employer overriding his collectively bargained labor agreement and suddenly, and illegally, taking action to inhibit political activity.

I find it even more inconceivable that anyone – let alone a government official – would demand the employer act like a pseudo government and wipe out the freedom of expression in a debate on equal rights.

This isn't hate speech or a slur, it's participating in a ballot initiative on a law that Burns' own fellow politicians just passed.

Of course, that's no more inconceivable than someone who believes sports has no place being anything more than "entertainment" and "excitement." He apparently missed the impact of Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Tommie Smith, John Carlos and so on and so on and so on.

Tim Tebow being one of those "so ons."

Then again, how do you figure out someone who is apparently troubled that an NFL football player would say or do something that's not in complete agreement with every single NFL fan? February's Super Bowl was viewed by 166.8 million people, we're pretty sure that includes someone from every single way of thinking imaginable.

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