Sports are really one of those things that can bring everyone together. This is not the only positive thing about them. They also teach discipline, perseverance, working hard, being a team player and are good for health.
But even though sports have many positive attributes they also have some stigmas. Since phrases like “you throw like a girl,” to what Always did an amazing campaign, are still around. The same goes for sexuality. Since for many, it’s odd that a gay person participates on sports for a reason.
The first openly gay football player.
The Arizona Wildcats have become the first major college to accept an openly gay player. By signing high school football sensation My-King Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end from Tempe High School in Arizona. As the Wildcats defensive line coach, Vincent Amey, who is bringing him to the team knew that Johnson was openly gay and didn’t care as he said to him “we want you to be a Wildcat.”
Also, Amey stated that he will have Johnson’s back and treat him equally to anybody since it’s the right and normal thing to do. “When I found out, I really couldn’t sleep, and it wasn’t like I was uncomfortable with it. I was just like, all right, it’s different, it’s new. … I said, ‘Look, you are who you are, I am who I am, and I’m going to coach you the same way. I’m going to treat you the same way. I’m going to get on you the same way as everybody else. There’s no difference. You do what you do.’”
Carrying a cross.
Even though that Johnson is open about his sexuality, he thinks that due to certain stigmas in society and particularly in sports he might be judge and put himself on the fire line. “I do feel like when I say that (I’m gay), it can put a target on my back. But whatever,” Johnson said.
The fact that the Arizona Wildcats are accepting him means a breakthrough in the world of sports. Since there is still a lot of reserves in what the sexuality of the players come. The only similar episode was when the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer insisted that any player who is gay should come out as it will relieve them. All of this in support of an anonymous friend and player who is gay. This episode generated tons of controversy in the world of sports and soccer.
No problem for Johnson.
Johnson is not only making history but he should also feel really proud. Also, Johnson’s sexual tendency is nothing new for anyone as he told his family he was gay when he was 12 years old. To what his mother, Nadette Lewis, was very supportive. “Sexuality? It doesn’t matter. … That’s how I teach my children.”
Lewis also supported her son by getting two, and even three jobs at a time to keep her family afloat. Despite that Johnson only wants to focus on football, and another thing he really thanks his mother for is his first name “My-King,” as he thinks its unconventionality will help him. “My name definitely motivates me. When someone’s looking down at a roster, or they’re looking at a page, they’re going to say … let me see what he’s about.” He said.
Source: breitbart.com