One of the big issues in men’s sports is when is an active player on a team sport going to be the first to come out of the closet.. not that there’s anything wrong with that. Its a pretty weird double standard, as when female athletes and coaches come out its really a non-story. People are not surprised, not typically offended, and after about one press conference its a non-issue.

Not for men’s sports. Oh goodness no. If a male athlete came out, you know every press conference would somehow want to know how his being gay affected his approach to to his 9th inning at bat or 4th quarter play. Its just weird. But one coach came out almost a year ago: Kyle Hawkins, the head coach of Missouri lacrosse. What I find weird is the fact that people expect gay athletes, coaches, etc to come out of the closet.. as if its some sort of responsibility that they have to share it with others. I think it would be weird as hell if I sat down my college rugby teammates to address the fact that I’m straight… so why should someone have to if they are gay?

“If you’re treating it as special, you’re still not treating it as equal,” Hawkins said. “If I sit my kids down and say, ‘Let’s talk about my sexuality’ … What straight coach does that?”

It reminds me a bit of the La Bron James comment, that essentially a teammate in the closet in untrustworthy because they are essentially lying to you. That’s a bunch of crap unless La Bron has taken the time to sit down with his fellow teammates and discuss his sexuality.. as Hawkins mentioned that would be freakin’ awkward on both ends.

The one positive is that considering that lacrosse is not so much a major sport in America (growing in popularity: yes… but not yet major) and Mizzou’s LAX team is a club sport… maybe if it starts to be okay on the lower levels it will finally become a non-issue and we won’t have to write about Tim Hardaway type comments and even worry about sexuality in sports. As a sports fan, former athlete, and coach… I don’t think it matters at all.. it’s not why we watch sports, play sports or love sports. Sport is supposed to be about the game. Nothing else matters at that moment whether if it is an at-bat, faceoff, 3rd and 5 play, or even a tee shot; sports is about competition, camaraderie, dedication and hard work, and above all - the team.

Maybe as a country we will eventually be able to watch sports without caring about such things. If fans can root for players who go out and do drugs, commit crimes and are essentially heinous individuals, why can’t they root for someone who is gay?

• University coach comes out of closet (AP)
• Missouri Lacrosse