Through His Eyes We See Progress

Yunel Escobar sending the wrong message

It was a costly little joke that Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar played in September when he etched on his eye-black (the black stickers that ballplayers place under their eyes to cut down on glare) in small white letters in Spanish, “Tu ere maracon.”  The English translation is “You’re a faggot.”  However, the glare that resulted was the glare of the media and outrage from a public who believe athletes should be moving beyond homophobic slurs in this day in age.

 Escobar, 29 and a native of Havana, Cuba, apologized for what he said was meant to be “just a joke.”  He explained through a translator, “It was not something I intended to be offensive. It was not anything intended to be directed at anyone in particular.”  He added, “I don't have anything against homosexuals. I have friends who are gay.”  It’s the kind of word that is frequently bandied about in a joking way among Latinos, he explained.

OK.  Contrition displayed, apology accepted.  Sending a strong signal that such “jokes” are not acceptable in Major League Baseball, punishment was meted out.  MLB prohibits derogatory words or symbols on uniforms.  The eye-black falls into that category.

With input from Commissioner Bud Selig and the players union, the Toronto Blue Jays suspended the enigmatic Escobar for three days without pay, and the $92,000 or so in lost salary is to be directed to two LGBT advocacy organizations, GLAAD and You Can Play.  Escobar will also participate in an outreach initiative to help educate society about insensitivity and tolerance to others.

“I consistently say that Baseball is a social institution with important social responsibilities and that I expect those who represent Major League Baseball to act with the kind of respect and sensitivity that the game’s diverse fan base deserves,” Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.  “Mr. Escobar has admitted that his actions were a mistake and I am hopeful he can use this unfortunate situation as an opportunity to educate himself and others that intolerance has no place in our game or society.”

So what is the significance of a wealthy guy making over $5 million a year to play a boy’s game, acting stupid and forfeiting money he would never miss?  Considerable.  

Whether you like sports or not, whether you feel contemptuous towards overpaid privileged athletes, whether you revile mega-rich greedy owners, one thing is for certain: sports are deeply stitched into the fabric of our culture.  The rapid reaction by the baseball industry to deal with this unfortunate spectacle can be influential in helping to move society’s attitudes towards a more accepting place.  If Escobar’s messaging went unpunished, it would send the signal that it is OK to call people “faggot.”

The swiftness of the punishment in this case was very uplifting and is becoming a common occurrence.  Pro teams and leagues in all sports are finding out that homophobia in a more accepting society is bad for business.  We have seen teams and leagues take disciplinary actions in the wake of homophobic comments by the likes of John Rocker, Jeremy Shockey, Tim Hardaway, Terrell Owens, John Smoltz, Joey Porter and Ozzie Guillen.  These actions varied with the circumstances but there was clarity to them.  With few exceptions, the fans generally supported the team or league.

NBA Commissioner David Stern was particularly strong.  The NBA adopted a non-discrimination policy based on sexual orientation as part of their collective-bargaining agreement with the players’ union.  A message like that is extremely powerful in the macho-centric culture of the locker room.

In Maryland, the recent flap between the Ravens’ Brendon Ayanbadejo’s support for marriage equality and anti-gay state delegate Emmett Burns brought more reason to cheer.  Not only did team officials back the linebacker’s right to express his beliefs but other players in the NFL supported him as well, particularly Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, another marriage equality advocate.  Dissenting teammates or opponents did not surface at least publicly.

Sports stars are often heroes, especially to children.  They have super-sized influence as a result of their celebrity. That is why corporations dole out big bucks to have athletes extol their products.  As such, homophobic or racial slurs and statements carry weight.  They can shape the attitudes of adults as well as children.  Blue Jays manager John Farrell, referring to the Escobar incident, said, “There is a definite role-model responsibility that some guys might not realize or might not want to take on, but it’s part of being a Major League player.”

In the National Hockey League, the aforementioned You Can Play project promotes safety in the locker rooms and that sports venues should be free from homophobia.  By way of videos, a growing number of players are stating that “if you can play, you can play.”  Athletes should be judged on talent, heart and work ethic, not sexual orientation. Although no gay male professional athlete has come out while active, there is a belief among those studying this issue that such a decision will occur within 10 years. 

The growing acceptance of LGBT folks around the country, the number of “night OUT at the ballpark” events, and the swift reactions to homophobia by sports teams’ management, players and fans demonstrate how progress is trending in the right direction. 

It Gets Better for Gay Athletes Too

When we celebrate Jackie Robinson Day in baseball each April —the anniversary of the Brooklyn Dodger’s breaking the color barrier—I always wonder if a gay ballplayer would summon up the courage of the late Hall of Famer who dealt with overt racism in baseball and in the U.S. and come out.  We are still waiting for a gay athlete as strong as Robinson who would be willing to endure a potential barrage of taunts from teammates, opponents and fans.

No professional male athlete has ever come out of the closet while actively playing.  It has happened at the collegiate level, but not professionally.  Most likely the reason is centered on the fear of reaction from the teammates.  How will he be perceived in the locker room?

In one sport, hockey, the environment may be improving.

When Brendan Burke, 21, a former hockey goalie and student manager of the Miami (Ohio) University ice hockey team and son of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke came out as gay in November 2009, there was also a flood of international support by news outlets and fans.  Brendan advocated tolerance and spoke out against homophobia in professional sports.
 

His father, who was also the GM for the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team in Vancouver, issued a statement: “I had a million good reasons to love and admire Brendan. This news didn’t alter any of them… There are gay men in professional hockey. We would be fools to think otherwise. And it’s sad that they feel the need to conceal this. I understand why they do so, however… Since he wishes to blaze this trail, I stand beside him with an axe! I simply could not be more proud of Brendan than I am, and I love him as much as I admire him.”  Tragically, young Brendan Burke was killed in a car accident two months later. 

Patrick and Brian Burke

Recently, Brendan’s brother Patrick, a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers; Brian Kitts, a former marketing official for the Colorado Avalanche; and Glen Witman, founder and president of Gforcesports.org formed a project called YouCan Play. 

Using testimonials through videos from a growing cadre of current players in the National Hockey League, You Can Play’s primary goal is to change the mindset so many believe controls pro locker rooms today and make the environment safer for a gay pro athlete to be out—not just in hockey but all sports pro and amateur.

In an exclusive interview I had with one of the co-founders of You Can Play, Brian Kitts, we learn that for gay pro athletes, it may be getting better.

Steve Charing:  We know that Brendan Burke's coming out and later his tragic death inspired You Can Play. Were there any plans afoot prior to these events that may have led to a similar project? 

Brian Kitts: We share a platform with a number of projects goals of erasing intolerance and promoting equality, including programs founded by other athletes.  You Can Play is different in that the partnership is between gay and straight allies, and that the focus is solely on changing the culture of sport.  We don’t ask our supporters or video messengers to take a stand on marriage or workplace equality, for instance.  We’re specifically trying to change the culture of locker rooms and arenas.

SC: The roster of supporters from NHL players seems to be growing steadily.  How are the team members contacted? 

BK: Brian and Patrick Burke have done the heavy lifting of contacting general managers and individual players to participate.  We’ve been honored to have a number of players volunteer after having heard about You Can Play.  There’s something truly inspirational about some of the guys who just showed up unannounced Ottawa to shoot a video segment.  And, players who take time out to make videos while they’re on the road – Brooks Orpik and Cal Clutterbuck on visits to Denver, for example, have gone the extra mile.  And, standouts like Tommy Wingels and Andy Miele made part of the effort possible by being the first to volunteer and the first to write checks.

SC:  To what extent has there been resistance? That is, was any overt homophobia encountered in attempting to enlist supporters? Are those players who are participating experiencing any "harassment" or are they generally receiving support? 

BK: We’ve heard nothing but positive response from fans and other players and executives for those who have participated.  Frankly, if there has been resistance, it’s been limited and silent.  You learn as much from those who ignore your requests than those who say yes or tell you no from the start.  We can count those men on one hand.

SC:  Obviously, I'm not asking to name names, but do you believe there is at least one active NHL player who is gay?

BK: Of course, there have been and are gay and lesbian players at all levels of hockey.  The percentages point to a number of gay teammates in the NHL and any sport – let’s be clear that You Can Play started with hockey, but the issues and opportunities for acceptance apply to any sport at any level.    

SC:  A campaign such as this one would surely help ease the burden of a gay player to come out. What do you see as the likelihood such a revelation would take place in the next couple of years? 

BK: Gay players will be visible soon.  Film, music, the military and corporate life are now places where men and women can be openly gay.  Sports, incredibly, remains [a place] where discrimination is tolerated and assumed.  We’ve found that many, many players aren’t homophobic, but have never been asked to say otherwise.

SC: In your view, is hockey better suited for this development than other sports and if so, why? 

BK: Hockey, like many sports, is a big family.  All sports stress the same things:  teamwork, hard work, talent and skill – all things that You Can Play wants recognized ahead of sexual orientation or other factors.  There’s an irony in hockey being the sometimes rough sport it is being asked to take the lead with You Can Play and we’re all grateful.  Patrick, Glenn and I all have some background in hockey and it made perfect sense to us to start there.  But, you’re going to see the same terrific response in lacrosse, soccer, rowing, baseball, football and any sport where effort and winning are valued.

SC:  We have seen a few pro athletes come out as gay after their active careers ended. If a gay hockey player comes out while actively playing, what impact do you believe this would have on other professional sports?

BK: The first several players to come out, in any sport, will have tremendous impact and serve as role models for gay and straight athletes alike.  The history of sport is highlighted by “firsts” among races, religions and other factors that we think make us different.  They set standards for success that gay and lesbian athletes will follow.  At some point, a player’s sexual orientation will be a footnote in the history of an athlete’s or team’s success.

And in their own words, some of the NHL participants' comments.