Football supports gay marriage: Column

Domonique Foxworth | USATODAY

Athletes have long been among the most prominent agents for social change. We are proud of our role on the front lines of civil rights. We have stood up for issues that are bigger than the game we play, and though the topics debated may change over the years, the principle is the same: We fundamentally believe that all people deserve equal rights.

That is why, as president of the NFL Players Association, I'm standing with the majority of Americans who support the freedom to marry.

This simple endorsement of equality might surprise some people. After all, recent headlines around the NFL have focused on a preoccupation with draft eligible players' sexual orientation. And, of course, we have yet to count an openly gay player among our teammates. Nonetheless, many NFL players see what everyone else in this country sees — the growing support for marriage equality. We believe that denying people basic rights and protections simply because of who they are and whom they love is wrong. It's an unconstitutional breach of our right to equal protection under the law.

Two kinds of tough

To play football, you have to be physically and mentally tough, and it makes no difference if you're straight or gay. Doing 50 sets of squats, playing through pain or being that last man standing after a grueling two-a-day workout is considered "tough" in football. That's one definition of a tough guy, and it has come to define our league.

But there's another standard we believe in, and that's standing up for anyone — in the game or not — who has been ridiculed, ostracized or rejected. We won't stand for that behavior in our locker rooms, on the playing field or in life. And that's why we hope that when the first openly gay NFL player steps forward, he will find not a wall of opposition, but a strong and caring defensive line. We'll have his back.

Change in sports

We might not be there yet, but professional sports are making progress. Consider the huge support professional soccer player Robbie Rogers received following his recent announcement regarding his sexuality. And today, no athlete or coach can make a homophobic remark without getting properly slammed by sports writers, league officials and players alike.

Linebacker Terrell Suggs has said that the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens accept people for who they are and don't care about a player's sexual orientation.

Recently, two NFL players, Minnesota Vikings Chris Kluwe and three-time Pro Bowler Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Ravens, filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court supporting the freedom to marry. I applaud their action — and all the other players who have announced their support, including the executive director of the NFLPA, DeMaurice Smith. But as important and helpful it is to have Brendon, Chris and many other athletes step forward, we know a favorable ruling by our nation's highest court would move this conversation light years ahead and demonstrate that equality in this country means just that — equality for everyone.

It would be in the best interest of all Americans for the Supreme Court to strike down discriminatory legislation that denies gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. Its decision won't change the face of this country — that's already happening — but it will reaffirm America's commitment to equality.

Domonique Foxworth is president of the NFL Players Association.

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