[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I've actually been wondering about how an openly gay player would be accepted in the locker room. I'm sure, publically, players and coaches would say the right things and show support. However, I can see alot of guys being uncomfortable changing clothes, showering, etc. in presence of an openly gay player. However, if you arrange a seperate area for that player to change/shower, then youre isolating him and he doesnt feel like he's "part of the team."

I can also see opposing team players saying some really awful things on the field. Players talk smack and i sure they insult eachothers mothers and use derroagotory slang for gays when talking to eachother all the time - its a reality that smack talk is part of the game. Would players be sensitive to the gay players feelings, and obstain from "gay-related" smack talk? Or would it give them extra ammunition to say some really awful things - not only to the player, but to his team mates?

Right or wrong, as a practical matter, i could understand a gay player's making up a story to cover over his sexual preference. And while thats a popular theory thats been speculated on here, and other places, i dont see it. Some of his teammates say he really loved talking about his imaginary girlfriend and relished the attention. It could be he's just an attention whore.

There are already active gay NFL players that teammates know about. No one talks about it but there there.