The watershed moment we’d hoped for failed to materialize. Earlier this week former Middle Tennessee State kicker Alan Gendreau revealed his hope to become the first player to enter the NFL as gay. While he wasn’t selected during the three-day-long draft which ended Saturday, the 23-year-old and his many admirers remain optimistic about his future.
“There’s always pressure being the first anything, but at the end of the day it’s about football and winning games,” Gendreau told ABC in an interview last Friday.
niles
It is imbecilic to think that the NFL would choose someone just because they are gay.
If he was serious about the matter, he would put his sexuality to the side and make
it all about the sport – not his personal life and being “first”.
CleJoke
Like they say there is no suck thing as bad publicity. Just look at how it helped Manti Te’o. Do the work, get the contract, then come out. duh.
jeff d
Stay hopeful, Alan. As you know, kickers are NEVER chosen in the draft. (The Raiders made an exception years ago.) If you’re good enough, you’ll still have an opportunity to make it.
bledoutcolor
Ugh this guy again. I just cant he parsed to give a damn. Maybe once he grows some humility Ill pay more attention.
MarkH
Such a cutie.
tardis
@CleJoke:
That defeats the purpose, doesn’t it? He wanted to go in as a out player, not as a “Hey, surprise, I’m gay.”
Jack
honestly folks, i’m not even a fan of team sports but i read enough to know he wasn’t eligible for the draft, but instead would have to be picked from the crowd at a special camp for that purpose.
Gigi Gee
“Back in college, his team mates treated him just like any other player.”
Wow. Imagine. Gee, thanks guys. I look forward to a day when gay isn’t an issue.
Re: “If he was serious about the matter, he would put his sexuality to the side and make
it all about the sport – not his personal life…” Ya. It’d be soooo much better if he just stayed in the closet. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Kieran
It should be emphasized here that Jeff Gendreau wanted to be the first OPENLY gay player to enter the NFL. He certainly wouldn’t be the first or last gay man playing in the NFL.
Hansolo
He played at at a lower division school that did not get any press so he will have to prove himself. The only reason he has any press because he is gay hopefully he works hard and tries out for some teams other than that I will wait and honestly his a kicker…they don’t even practice with the regular team.
miagoodguy
Plain and simple: he just isn’t talented enough to be a pro kicker. It is a good publicity stunt though to get attention to himself. I wonde how long befoe he ties to become some kind of reality show star o an actor.
Avenger
@miagoodguy: Agree. This joker is a mediocre media whoring opportunist trying to get press. I don’t trust him.
Badger88
@Avenger: ATTENTION all gay athletes, actors, singers, and politicians: stay in the closet, because apparently coming out is what media-whoring opportunists do.
balehead
Another media whore looking for a reality series…next!
balehead
Maybe he should open a restaurant in a small canadian town to get more attention….
Badger88
@balehead: From what I can tell, this guy has done ONE interview with OutSports, a site devoted entirely to news about gay athletes. Now, that single interview may have been picked up by several other news outlets, but it’s not because this guy is approaching reporters left and right, blathering about his story. It’s simply because those news sources saw the story on OutSports, thought it was interesting, and reposted it themselves.
If I had to guess, you critics simply don’t like this man as a person, for whatever reason. Because if he had been somebody you did like, and he gave one interview about his orientation, you’d be praising him as brave. I can’t see what he’s done that’s any different from other coming out stories on Queerty, which haven’t received nearly as hostile of a reception from the readers here.
And if you don’t like the man, that’s fine. But at least be honest about WHY you don’t like him.
Caleb in SC
Business will do what is good for business. If he had game, he’d have been drafted.
jevonbellam
uptil I saw the paycheck which had said $4722, I didn’t believe …that…my mom in-law woz like actually receiving money in there spare time from their computer.. there friend brother had bean doing this 4 only 21 months and at present paid the loans on their house and purchased a great Chevrolet. go to, FAB33.COM_only
DOFEK
Fuck the NFL, VIVA Alan Gendreau. I am sure the “boys” in the shower love to have a nice tool like you do!. AdamHomo
CaptainFabulous
Mmmm, he can play with my balls any day.
tardis
@CaptainFabulous:
Jebus, act a little mature, please.
Dixie Rect
@tardis:
I thought it was funny and on point. Lighten up!
And say my screen name out loud 3 times fast, ok?
Dakotahgeo
Alan will be on a national sports team in due time. He’s a pro!