Gay football fans are still waiting for the day that an openly gay athlete plays in a regular season game, and with any luck, Scott Frantz will be the guy to make it happen. The former Kansas State offensive lineman is gearing up for the NFL draft — and explaining why his gay identity isn’t holding him back.
“I don’t think it’s a burden at all,” he explained to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in an interview published on January 12. “If there’s people that look up to me because of that, I think that’s awesome. Anything I can do to be a role model to people. There’ll definitely be a lot of people that look up to me because of that, but that stuff is not even really on my mind at all. I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunity.”
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Refreshingly, Frantz told the newspaper that his Kansas State teammates embraced him and that he never heard any opposing player use an anti-gay slur towards him on the field. “Not once,” he added. “It’s not an issue. Just like everybody else, I’m a football player. That’s what people see me as.”
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In a more inclusive world, it wouldn’t be national news when an openly-LGBTQ player gets drafted into an NFL team because a player’s gender and sexual identity would matter less on the gridiron than their athletic ability. And Frantz is already working toward that ideal.
“I tell every team the same thing,” he said. “I’m just like everyone else here. I’m here to take advantage of all the opportunities I’m given and make a 53-man roster, just like everybody else.”
“From what I’ve gathered, that’s all that matters. If you show up and you’re a good guy and you work hard and you play well, that’s all that matters. No one gives a crap about the other stuff.”
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Brett Tessler, Frantz’s agent, elaborated on that point: “Obviously it would be very special to a lot of people, but Scott isn’t approaching this as a personal cause,” Tessler said to the Star-Telegram. “He’s really just gone about his business and let his play do the talking since he came out a few years ago. He’s been one of the most respected and well-liked players at Kansas State, and he’ll be just fine wherever he ends up next.”
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Hey Queerts, I honestly love all you guys. You provide a informative open fourm to allow discussions. But there is this thingy called the internets, where ya can basically find any information ya might need. Like possible showing a correct picture of the subject of a thread. The photo accompanying this thread seems to depict a Black player. Scott Franz is a proud open out white guy,….
john.k
It doesn’t seem like a black player to me. It’s just an arty type of photo that has a dark hue. Anyway I don’t think it’s meant to be a photo of the player in question.
Kieran
A picture would be nice.
richard 14
Identity politics can be a burden.
Kanaka4127
Oh sure. Especially when your identity is the reason you’re being marginalized, oppressed, fired, evicted, shunned. But you be you Entitled Homo.
skeldare
Nice for him, but seems like a Trump supporter based on his Twitter.
Donston
His statement does come off like: “Life is exactly what you make it. There isn’t a such thing as oppression, prejudice or sociological pressures and injustices”. It’s a very Conservative perspective. And it’s an easy one to have when you’re a conventionally masculine white guy who’s likely lived in a bubble for most of his life and has always been at least middle class. The dude ain’t even tried to be in the NFL yet and is already dismissing any type of adversity.
Joe
Trump supporter. Sasse supporter. SMH
Donston
It’s not an “issue” now. But watch him not make it in the NFL. He’ll be blaming homophobia, anti-gay vibes and toxic masculinity. Something is always not an “issue” until you personally face that type of adversity. Tons of players have talked about the homophobia and hetero pressures in the NFL. So, it’s not like it doesn’t exist. There are legit reasons why there’s not a single dude in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL who doesn’t have a hetero image, yet alone someone who identifies as “gay” or is willing to have a public same-sex relationship. I do feel the time has come for these sports leagues to evolve. People are tired of being closeted in today’s world. They’re tired of hiding their desires and passions. They’re tired of hiding their relationships and who they want to love and be with. While it’s getting more and more difficult to stay closeted in this social media driven world.
He doesn’t have to make it an issue. He doesn’t need to become some “gay mascot”. Hell, he doesn’t have to identify as anything if he doesn’t want to. I don’t care about promoting identity politics. But his attempt to dismiss homophobia, conventional masculine pressures and hetero pressures just comes off insincere and calculated. I do however recognize that criticizing the NFL while trying to get into the NFL isn’t a smart move.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
You really put thought into your posts, good on you!