Retired NFL quarterback Troy Aikman has been running from gay rumors since the mid-’90s when American sports columnist Skip Bayless wrote the book Hell-Bent: The Crazy Truth About the “Win or Else” Dallas Cowboys in which he alleged the former 6’4, 220-lb. Dallas Cowboys quarterback is attracted to men.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Aikman finally addressed the rumors that have followed him nearly 20 years head on. And, like a true quarterback, he did so by going on the attack:
I’m upset about it because it was made up and there was nothing accurate about anything that was insinuated. And he did it, as he does everything, just for attention. I am probably more upset because I probably should have responded to it at the time it was going on. The advice to me was “Hey, just don’t address it. It’s not worth it. It doesn’t make any sense. It’s ridiculous. All it’s going to do is have people continue to talk about his book.” So I didn’t. But I probably could have responded differently and maybe that would have changed things. Maybe it wouldn’t have. But it is ridiculous, and, yeah, it bothers me. If that is a lifestyle people choose, so be it. It doesn’t affect me one way or another. But it is not my lifestyle.
A “lifestyle” people “choose”?
It sounds like Aikman’s attitudes about gay people are stuck in 1989, the same year he was drafted to play for the NFL. Seriously, who talks like that anymore?
How about we take this to the next level?
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In an opinion piece published by OutSports, Cyd Zeigler writes: “Aikman says that is simply a lifestyle choice, like what neighborhood to live in or what car to drive or where to take your vacation.”
He continues: “I don’t know who or what Aikman is attracted to, but since he’s told us that the gender of the people you date is simply a choice, we have to take him at his word: He’s made a conscious decision to not date men. He might be inclined to, but instead, he’s chosen to date women.”
So is Aikman gay or not? The question remains unanswered.
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tsmithknox
Seriously! When you chose to live a heterosexual “lifestyle”, you’re a closet homosexual.
ppp111
I remember that story back in the mid to late 90s. Skip Bayless is a turd and I hate his commentary on ESPN. As far as Aikman is concerned, I highly doubt he is gay or even in the closet. Same as Aaron Rodgers. Don’t get me wrong; it would be a pleasant surprise if they are but let’s support the athletes who are out and proud.
DogCollarPistolWhip
I have met Troy professionally on several occasions. I never thought for a second that he was gay. He strikes me as a very kind, respectful, good guy. He may believe that gayness is a choice, or whatever. I don’t personally care. I think he’s a pretty good guy and I like his NFL commentary. Now I freaking WISH he was gay, because holy moly, what a hunk! But nah, I don’t think it is true. Not even partially true. He’s a kind, unassuming good guy.
DogCollarPistolWhip
I’d also like to point out the double-standards of a community that often demands that people be free to choose their gender expression, how they present and all manner of identity, independent of biology. Why should we be so judgmental of someone identifying however he chooses? Again, I don’t think he is homosexual at all. I think it is a lot of wishful thinking, and some hateful baiting. I’d prefer that Troy be straight, if for no other reason than me having to be jealous as hell of whoever gets to be with him. Such a hunk.
MarionPaige
So, Troy Aikman didn’t actually say that he’d made a choice not to be gay.
It is so White to make up stuff and then to condemn someone for not actually saying what you made up.
Milk
Nah I think he just feign the lack of understanding on homosexuality to look like a straight guy.
NoCagada
So, what…Lots of married men are taking it up the butt with other dudes but just don’t choose to “live that lifestyle”. Ask them! They’re straight! Really! They are! They just like getting fucked in the butt!
jason smeds
I think Aikman’s attitude is great. I think we need more men to say that they’ve chosen not to act on their homosexual feelings.
It’s actually liberating when a man concedes to having same-sex attractions combined with his opposite-sex attractions. It helps to mainstream male homosexuality. It’s also liberating when a man says that he can choose between them, especially when monogamy forces this choice onto him.
MarionPaige
The idea that the human brain works like a computer is “western thinking”. I don’t get how any self respecting gay man could actually want to pimp the idea that he is COMPELLED to be gay against his will by some freak occurrence during conception or gestation. Again, it’s so White!
MarionPaige
the whole “born gay” fiction feeds this notion that homosexuals are tortured souls who have no self control. THey are forced to act the way they do by the gay gene.
jason smeds
Marion Page,
I agree with you. The “born gay” fiction does make it seem as if gay men are afflicted.
I will go on to say that sexual feelings are innate. Innate doesn’t mean born. Innate simply means innate. Innate means they just happen.
Male sexuality in particular has been damaged by gay identity politics and by homophobia. These two forces have helped to create a segregated mindset which forces male homosexuality into a very small ball.
The reality is that male homosexual feelings are widespread. They exist in many straight-identifying men. Such men often choose – for various reasons – to shun those feelings and act only on their opposite-sex attractions. One of the reasons is that male homosexuality is not productive in the way male heterosexuality is.
Male heterosexual acts lead to the continuation of the human race. Male homosexual acts are simply recreational, not procreational.
Milk
Or He’s just auditioning the next installment of My Husband is not gay.
Desert Boy
All I know is Troy has never sucked my c o c k.
JamesBDallas
This rumor was actually started by the wonderful owner of the Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones before Troy was married. It was very common to hear the rumor in Dallas. He then married a woman he met who worked in the front office of the Dallas Cowboys and had a least one child. He is currently divorced. I personally don’t have an opinion as to his sexual orientation. I do find it interesting that this subject has come up again.
MarionPaige
Is having sex a choice?
The way I see it, “Born Gay” by definition implies not only that you are compelled to have sex with someone of the same sex but also that YOU ARE COMPELLED TO HAVE SEX.
“Born Gay” fails when you ask if humans can consciously decide not to have sex at all. Because, if humans can consciously decide to not to be sexual, then, obviously, both heterosexuality and homosexuality are choices.
Born Gay may be great for getting companies to buy advertising and it may be a great tool for beggging for charitable donations but IT DOES NOT HELP GAY PEOPLE IN ANY WAY.
dhmonarch89
being gay isn’t about sex….it’s about who you want/love/desire/feel passionate for…sex is an aspect- but many of us have had sex with women without being str8- sex is a small part of the actual equation!
Bauhaus
@DogCollarPistolWhip:
You are either Aikman, or Aikman’s boyfriend.
Good grief.
onthemark
@Bauhaus: DogCollarPistolWhip said he met Aikman “professionally.”
That’s not a boyfriend, that’s a… well, you know.
@MarionPaige: Nobody’s “compelling” you to have sex, dearie.
It’s just that society doesn’t need nearly as many nuns and monks as it used to.
CharlieM3
@jason smeds: I was born gay, but I don’t feel afflicted in any way. It’s just how I am. As far as sex goes, it is fun, who cares if I don’t procreate. We have too many people in the world as it is. Your entitled to your opinion but I think that it is slightly bent.
jwtraveler
Why does anyone care?
mjwatts
“Finally addressed the rumors”? He’s talked about it more than a few times.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
How is this Jason Smeds not suspended or banned from this site? This mental case offers nothing but homophobic trolling here.
DuMaurier
No, we shouldn’t use words that suggest sexual orientation is a choice; yes, we should say “orientation”, not “preference”; and no, we don’t have to get all snotty and persnickety at a careless, harmlessly poor choice of words, just because we’re sulking about not getting the answer we wanted to a certain question about someone.
Low Country Boy
@Baba Booey Fafa Fooey: I wouldn’t be surprised if was part of some right-wing, Evangelical group that targets sites like these. They are obsoletely obsessed with gay sex. If I only had sex as much as most Evangelicals think about it, I’d be a happy man!
Low Country Boy
*he*
o.codone
gay? probably not.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
@Low Country Boy: Do we just flag his posts? I am.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
@Low Country Boy: and, this MarionPage? Another right-winger? I flagged him too.
BJ McFrisky
@Baba Booey Fafa Fooey: Newsflash: Flagging is for inappropriate posts, not for those whose opinions you disagree with.
Baba Booey Fafa Fooey
Is BJ McFrisky another troll to flag? Are these posters one person or are there multiple people who troll this site?
onthemark
@Baba Booey Fafa Fooey: Please don’t make BJ cry.
Texan78730
Too bad Mr. Aikman’s not gay, ’cause he’s missing a hell of a lot of fun!
BJ McFrisky
@onthemark: The only time I cry is when I see the comments posted on this page and am forced to realize that 90% of my gay brethren are sycophantic liberals who can’t see the forest for the tree-huggers. Depressing, yes—but kinda funny, too.
MarionPaige
@BJ McFrisky:
The commenters here are hardly representative of gay men. Do you actually think the majority of gay men think they were born gay?
Since the majority of gay men are not out and don’t patronize gay political blogs, you get these SELF-APPOINTED GAY ACTIVISTS who just pop up with these “causes” and “mantras”.
salex
@MarionPaige: Yes, we are born gay. The fact is not new to any who are born his way.
Chris Vogel
Sounds like he has chosen to be a lonely, unloved, pathetic, compulsively dishonest fake. What fun! (must be religious; no one else would do this.)
PARKAVMAN
Did he actually have to think about it and then choose? It sounds like it could have gone either way.
sfhally
Great–another bisexual continuing the whole” you can choose not to be gay” trope.
Will you people quit messing things up for the rest of us?
corey
So He’s Attracted 2 Men, But Chose Not To Act On It?
BJ McFrisky
Anyone ever consider that Aikman might be bi, since he seems to believe it’s a choice we’re all able to make?
@MarionPaige: Yes, I do believe we’re born like this. I certainly didn’t learn it anywhere—I’ve been this way since puberty, more or less. Me personally, I believe it to be genetic.
But I do agree with you that the gay-activist agenda can do as much harm as good.
MarionPaige
since “gay identity” itself is mainly confined to tired ass White Queens, maybe BORN GAY is actually a thing
AxelDC
He could be bisexual and decided not to pursue his gay side. For what it’s worth, he dated several women, including Sandra Bullock, before marrying in 2000. He was married for 11 years and has 2 daughters.
Saint Law
@MarionPaige: But you are a tired ass White Queen.
Saint Law
@BJ McFrisky: But you have an activist agenda, Herpy Derp. It just happens to be suicidal.
Saint Law
@jason smeds: “such men choose – for many reasons – to shun those feelings and act only on their opposite sex attractions.”
It isn’t their feelings they’re shunning, Knobhound. It’s u.
SteveDenver
I’ve known men who were rumored to be gay, but aren’t. When people ask — as I did, in all friendly sincerity — they simply responded: “That’s what people say.” or “Some people think so, what do you think?” And they’re totally non-plussed. The real suspects are the ones who react strongly and angrily.
Chris
He may have chosen his words a bit carelessly; but I find it a bit of a stretch to take them as meaning he “chose not to be gay.” There comes a point where the media and sites like this one parse people’s words to create much ado about nothing. Aiken’s not gay; and even if he is less than artistic in saying so, it’s time to move on.
BJ McFrisky
@Saint Law: As always, your childish name-calling reflects your classless crassness. Your parents must be so proud.
Clark35
@sfhally: Or he’s just gay, and deeply closeted. Biphobic hypocritcal people like you ruin it for everyone.
Clark35
@DogCollarPistolWhip: He’s not a “good guy” anyone who thinks that sexuality is a choice is a bigot and idiot.
MCHG
Troy Aikman made a mistake that almost everyone from his generation makes when talking about homosexuality. It’s a shame some on here and Cyd Zeigler from Out Sports decided to be so childish about the matter. Probably one of the greatest players of his day and his legacy will be mirred because some attention whore couldn’t sell his book without telling some juicy lies.
salex
i’m also from dallas and do know that mr. aikman entertained being gay. he may have recognized that it’s not for him.
DogCollarPistolWhip
@Bauhaus:
Tired, predictable, loathsome queens…
I met Aikman “professionally” when I worked at a company that he had an advertising contract with in Dallas. He was in our offices every month, went to our conventions, and hung out quite a bit. This was after his playing days, and before he was calling games for Fox. I call him a nice guy because that is what he is. I have met a few celebrities in my day, and Aikman is the nicest and most genuinely kind “famous person” I’ve ever met. He took the time to talk to we “little people” and just seemed like a really nice guy. Naturally it offends me when others want to belittle someone like that. He’s a hunk, but just never struck me as being even a little bit gay.
DogCollarPistolWhip
@salex:
Aikman showed up at a DIFFA event once. In other words, he made the MISTAKE of befriending the gay community in Dallas on any level, and that caused the envious little cannibals to bare their claws and go after him.
Bully2
@jason smeds: Your statement is degrading to all gays and lesbians. You’re basically saying that all gays and lesbians should either make a conscious decision to:
1. Be celibate
or
2. Somehow “pray” the gay away and live a heterosexual life with bu dating and having sex with and presumably marrying an opposite sex partner.
REALLY?
So, you call that being PRO-HOMOSEXUAL do you? You’re a seriously misguided person, who apparently likes to scour gay news/message boards and post inflammatory messages for fun, to bait people, or for some other insidious purpose.
For whatever reason, it’s repulsive.
What if we suggested that all heterosexuals should live a celibate lifestyle, and only had sex with members of the SAME SEX because the world is overpopulated and our natural resources cannot sustain continued population growth at this rate, so no matter how much the heterosexuals want to act on their urges, they need to CHOOSE to have sex with members of the SAME SEX ONLY, or choose lifelong celibacy. Would that be an equally desirable “choice?”