Could the NFL soon have its first openly gay players?

Four active players are reportedly considering coming out together on the same day

It's been a good few weeks for gay rights advocates. Lawmakers are rushing to announce their newfound support for same-sex marriage, while the Supreme Court has put the issue in the spotlight in weighing two major cases involving marriage equality.

Now, that momentum may carry over to an unlikely institution: The NFL.

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Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and outspoken supporter of gay rights Brendon Ayanbadejo told the Baltimore Sun on Friday that up to four current players were considering a plan to come out on the same day — and possibly soon.

"I think it will happen sooner than you think," Ayanbadejo said. "We're in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now and they're trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out." 

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His remarks come one week after CBS Sports' Mike Freeman reported that one gay player was coming out in the next few months. The sources for that report would not say who that player was, but indicated that he feared there would be a lack of acceptance from fans.

Ayanbadejo and others hope that any blowback would be mitigated if four players came out together.

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"Of course, there would be backlash," Ayanbadejo said. "If they could share the backlash, it would be more positive. It's cool. It's exciting. We're in talks with a few guys who are considering it. The NFL and organizations are already being proactive and open if a player does it and if something negative happens. We'll see what happens."

Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, the league's most vocal — and at times, most colorful — supporter of gay rights, echoed that sentiment Thursday.

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"That would be ideal if a bunch of gay athletes came out at the same time, because then you could spread that attention,'' he said, according to Newsday's Tom Rock. "It wouldn't be 'Hey, there's one guy.' It would be 'Oh, there are five or six guys' and this isn't just an isolated phenomenon. There are gay players in the NFL.''

Ayanbadejo and Kluwe were in New York Thursday, where they were honored by the Straight for Equality Gala for their efforts to promote tolerance in sports.

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The NFL is also reportedly taking steps to ensure that if and when gay players come out, they have as much support as possible within the league. NFL Players Association president Domonique Foxworth said last week that the union has been leading an effort to "educate our guys and be ready for this inevitability."

Several former players have come out after retiring, though none have done so while still in the league. Most recently, Kwame Harris, who retired in 2008, came out this year after news broke that he'd been in an altercation with his boyfriend.

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"No, not while I was playing," he told CNN when asked if he'd considered revealing his sexual orientation while in the NFL. "I didn't see those two things as being compatible."

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Orthopaedic Surgeons Want Basketball Players to Shoot for Success, Not Injuries, This Season

ROSEMONT, Ill., March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Basketball season is in full effect and orthopaedic surgeons want athletes and other basketball enthusiasts across the country to follow the proper safety guidelines to avoid a visit to the emergency room.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly 1.5 million basketball injuries, in children and adults were reported in 2011.

Ankles sprains, knee injuries and foot fractures are some of the most common injuries in basketball, and over the last several months, we've seen many of these injuries in NBA athletes such as Derrick Rose, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Kobe Bryant who experienced an ankle sprain and most recently Joakim Noah's plantar fascia injury and Kevin Garnett's ankle injury.  

EXPERT ADVICE
"Basketball injuries come in many forms, whether caused by overuse or traumatic circumstances," said orthopaedic surgeon and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) spokesperson Douglas Alan Flory, MD. "Proper preparation for the game such as wearing the right protective gear and maintaining fitness year round helps to decrease the risk for injury.  However, if injured, it is critical to know when to safely return to the game to avoid worsening the injury or re-injury."

As part of the AAOS Prevent Injuries America! ® Campaign, orthopaedic surgeons would rather prevent injuries than treat them. Consider the Academy's basketball safety tips:

• Wear appropriate equipment. Shoes should fit snugly and offer support. Ankle braces can reduce the incidence of ankle sprains in patients with a history of injury (this should be discussed with your doctor); protective knee and elbow pads can protect players from bruises and abrasions. Consider wearing a mouth guard. Do not wear jewelry or chew gum while playing.  Other helpful equipment may include eye protection, ankle braces or sports tape.
• Ensure a safe play environment. Outdoor courts should be free of rocks, holes and other hazards. Players should avoid playing on outdoor courts that do not have appropriate lighting. Indoor courts should be clean, free of debris and have good traction. Baskets and boundary lines should not be too close to walls, bleachers, fountains or other structures. Basket goal posts, and the walls behind them, should be padded.
• Maintain fitness throughout the year. Ideally, players should maintain an exercise and training regimen during the basketball season, and throughout the year.
• Warm up before play. Consistent warm up and stretching exercises may reduce injuries. Warm up with jumping jacks, stationary cycling, or running or walking in place for three to five minutes. This should be followed by slow and gentle stretching, holding each stretch for 20-30 seconds.  Stretches should focus on the legs, spine, and shoulders.  A player should also stretch after their practices or games.
• Safe Return to Play. An injured player's symptoms must be completely gone before returning to play. The player must have no pain, no swelling, full range of motion, and normal strength and should be cleared by the appropriate medical provider.
• Stay hydrated. Even mild levels of dehydration can hurt athletic performance.  Ideally, players should drink 24-ounces of non-caffeinated fluid two hours before exercise, and additional 8-ounces of fluid or sports drink immediately before play. While playing, break for an 8-ounce cup of water every 20 minutes.
• Use proper passing and play techniques. Practice good technique. For example, when you jump for the ball, land on a bent knee rather than a straight knee. Play only your position and know where other players are on the court to reduce the chance of collisions. Do not hold, block, push, charge, or trip opponents. Use proper techniques for passing and scoring, and most importantly, don't forget sportsmanship!
• Prevent overuse injuries.  Because many young athletes focus on just one sport and train year-round, doctors are seeing an increase in overuse injuries. The AAOS has partnered with STOP Sports Injuries to help educate parents, coaches, and athletes on how to prevent sports injuries. STOP Sports Injuries recommends limiting the number of teams in which your child is playing on in one season. In addition, do not let your child play one sport year round; taking regular breaks and playing other sports is essential to skill development and injury prevention.

A Nation in Motion
More than one in four Americans have bone or joint health problems, making them the greatest cause of lost work days in the U.S. When orthopaedic surgeons restore mobility and reduce pain, they help people get back to work and to independent, productive lives. Orthopaedic surgeons provide a great value, in both human and economic terms; and access to high-quality orthopaedic care keeps this "Nation in Motion." To learn more, to read hundreds of patient stories or to submit your own story, visit ANationinMotion.org.

Visit us:
STOP Sports Injuries
Orthoinfo.org
About the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Facebook.org/AAOS1
Twitter.com/AAOS1

Click here to view this release in the Academy's newsroom and share on your social media pages.

SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

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