Many people in our country have scathing views on the plight gay people. Heated debate is often sparked when we broach the subject of “gay rights”. Often times we ask is it akin to the civil rights movement. Are gay people born this way or is it a decision? The answers to those key question shouldn’t be a requisite to what I’m about to explain to the reader at this time. I’m embedded in the minds of any progressive or conventional thinker. Is Orlando Cruz a hero? My answer is yes! As a Preacher, Christian and “Sports Kritik,” I submit to you that heroes aren’t always packaged in the wrapping paper we expect. Cruz, a native of Puerto Rico has proudly told the world what many other gay athletes in other major sports wouldn’t dare tell the world in their prime.
Could we Imagine (hypothetically speaking) if Peyton Manning, LeBron James, Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, or Alex Ovechkin made such an announcement? In the past we’ve had people in their post playing careers admit to us that they were gay all along. John Amaechi is one recent example of that. Amaechi played 8 seasons in the NBA before calling it quits. Amaechi subsequently wrote a book AFTER his playing days and of course made the rounds in the media to promote his book. Will Sheridan also comes to mind. He was a four year starter on the Villanova Wildcats from 2003 to 2007.
Sheridan came out to his teammates and the Villanova family, receiving support. Neither of these men were major stars that garnered any real significant buzz. Was it a conversation piece? Sure but not on the level of Cruz who is more of a recognizable figure, coupled with being a boxer which speaks to the very essence of what we perceive as male machismo.
Heroism of Cruz isn’t necessarily the fact that he came out. It’s the timing of when he did. Boxing to the casual fan maybe an afterthought to some (taking a backseat to the UFC) but to most of us that are hardcore fans of sport, we recognize that this could be the changing of the guard. Will an athlete from the MLB, MLS, NBA, NHL or NFL ever take the same courageous path? Maybe they’re heeding the warning of Tim Hardaway from a few years back.
Just in case you’re wondering why this is heroic, think about it in the terms of how society has historically ostracized and even hidden the truth about the history of some famous homosexual figures. In sports in particular the ones that are dominated by men, the world doesn’t openly accept the possibility that our favorite player could be “gay”. We’ll deal with unconfirmed “tendencies” but straight up confessions from our heroes? In the words of the late Biggie Smalls “Nathan”
By the Sports Kritik @ http://tobtr.com/s/2110719
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