Aussie rugby player Israel “Izzy” Folau spewed homophobia again this week, telling Instagram followers that “hell awaits” gay individuals. Unfortunately, hateful views like his run rampant in the sports world… but then again, a lot of athletes are allies, too. Here are 10 sports stars who play for one team or the other, starting with the five who have fouled.
Manny Pacquiao
After condemning same-sex marriage by comparing gay individuals to animals, this famed boxer offered an apology for the comparison on Twitter in 2016, then said, “This does not change my position against same-sex marriage. That’s what I believe. My only mistake is comparing gay people to animals.”
Related: Jocks who use antigay slurs aren’t actually homophobic, says new study
Evander Holyfield
Speaking of boxers, this heavyweight champ said homosexuality “ain’t normal” and “is a choice” during his 2014 stint on the British version of Celebrity Big Brother. “The Bible lets you know what’s wrong and what’s right,” he added.
Josh Hader
Hader, a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, had to face the music when Twitter users unearthed racist and homophobic tweets of his last year. “I was just 17 years old. I was a child,” he said at a press conference. “I was immature and I said some things that were inexcusable. It does not reflect on the person I am today.”
Margaret Court
This Aussie tennis champ has been a vocal critic of marriage equality, even boycotting the airline Qantas for its pro-gay stance. “I am disappointed that Qantas has become an active promoter for same sex,” she wrote in an Australian newspaper in 2017. “I believe in marriage as a union between a man and a woman as stated in the Bible.”
Tim Hardaway
This NBA alum — who played for the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat, among other teams — infamous copped up to being homophobic and hating gay people during a 2007 radio interview. To his credit, though, Hardaway later worked with the Trevor Project and advocated for same-sex marriage.
Dwyane Wade
Wade’s 11-year-old son, Zion, attended Miami Beach Pride this month — alongside Wade’s wife, actress Gabrielle Union — and the 13-time NBA All-Star cheered him on from afar. “We support each other with Pride,” Wade tweeted. “Wish I was there to see you smile kid!”
Related: The viral rugby kiss that’s tackling homophobia
Sean Avery
This NHL alum — who played for the Detroit Red Wings and the Los Angeles Kings, among other teams — advocated for marriage equality and even joined the board of pro-LGBT sports nonprofit Athlete Ally. “Maybe it’s because when I was such a bully when I had my uniform on, that when I took it off I felt the need to stand up against the bully,” he said of his activism in 2012.
Hudson Taylor
Athlete Ally’s founder is this three-time NCAA All-American wrestler who famously decorated his headgear with an HRC sticker. “This is only about how we treat one another, how we speak to one another,” he told HuffPost in 2011. “It’s not about politics or religion or anything else. I just want to create a safe space for people.”
Brendon Ayanbadejo
After helping the Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, this linebacker emailed activists to ask what he could do to “harness this Super Bowl media” to advance marriage equality and anti-bullying efforts. “I got to thinking about all kinds of things, and I thought: How can we get our message out there?” Ayanbadejo later told The New York Times.
Kenneth Faried
Gay rights is a personal cause for this Houston Rockets power forward: His mother, Waudda Faried, is partnered with a woman. “No one can tell me I can’t have two mothers,” Faried said in a 2013 pro-marriage equality video.
hansniemeijer
I still think that most athletes are pro LGBTQ++++. Like most non-athletes.
Jared MacBride
Evander Holyfield thinks “normal” is seventeen children with at least five different baby mamas. I’ll pass on giving a damn about what he thinks.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
FU Queerty CENSORING!!!
draven
Dwayne Wade is a awesome dad. My dad very very cool about me being gay. I told my parents I like the same as me when I was like 6 years ago. In my fathers 3rd son. My parents were very supportive of me. My mom was scared the world would hurt me. I persevered. I’m now 58 years young. As long as my parents loved me I didn’t care about no one else loving me growing up. I love my parents so much. May their souls rest in sweet beautiful peace.
draven
That manny dude boxer kinda turns me on tho lol for some reason hmmm