The Maryland House of Delegates will vote on Friday on a proposal to allow same-sex couples to marry, and Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo is taking the opportunity to speak out in favor of gay marriage.

“Gay and lesbian couples want to marry for similar reasons as we all do: love and commitment. It’s time to allow them the opportunity to build a family through marriage,” Ayanbadejo says in a video released by Equality Maryland. “It’s a matter of fairness. This is why I’m asking Marylanders to join me in supporting marriage equality for same-sex couples.”

Most NFL players steer clear of taking stands on hot-button issues, but Ayanbadejo isn’t like most players. He has written in the past of his support of same-sex marriage, and he has also gone to Washington to lobby for other causes he believes in, increasing physical education and improving nutrition at schools.

Here’s the video:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5IpTdbE5ts&w=425&h=349%5D