If there’s a kid in Canada or wherever, who is playing and really loves the game and wants to keep playing but he’s worried about coming out, I’d tell him to pick up the phone and call (NHLPA executive director) Donald Fehr and tell him to book me a (plane) ticket. I’ll stand beside him in the dressing room while he tells his teammates he is gay. Maybe if Sean Avery is there, they would have less of a problem with it.
—Sean Avery, the New York Rangers forward and nude t-shirt model, adopts the protective strategy of MMA fighter Daniel Puder by agreeing to convince anyone that needs convincing they shouldn’t have a problem with gay kids
And also:
[There are] probably a few gay players in the NHL, but I don’t know if somebody has the courage (to come out). … The reaction from fans in visiting arenas would be tough, but I don’t think it would be that big a deal. I get booed no matter where I go.
[via]
chpinnlr
I am starting to like Hockey all of a sudden! The New York Rangers in particular!
Rick Heintz
@chpinnlr: I have to agree! Of all the professional sports Hockey is really stepping up to the inclusive plate. (bad pun lol) The Stanley Cup was in our pride parade in Chicago last year.
Lawrence
Sean Avery is normally a Douche…but lately he has done more and more to diverge from that.
I do not like this complex character that has developed to say both great, and douche things. Why must he make it so complicated? Its much easier to hate someone when they are simply an ass!
Rick Gold
He is awesome.
Thanks Sean!
Ted from Cali
@Lawrence: People are rarely so simple. Of course it would be easier if they were, but less interesting.
Franky
No idea who he is as I don’t watch Hockey, pretty much a sin since I’m Canadian, but it’s always nice to get support from guys in macho sports roles. Seems to make quite a difference.
JamieN.D.
Another reason I luv Hockey… Good for him.
Go Pens!
AMusingFool
I never liked Avery before, but I definitely respect this.
On a semi-related note, the son of the Maple Leafs (I think) General Manager is gay, and came out while playing college hockey. His dad (surprising him greatly) and teammates (don’t remember his expectation there) were very supportive.
AMusingFool
Ow. Went to look up what I talked about. It was Brendan Burke, who was, yes, the son of Maples Leafs GM Brian Burke. Sadly, I say “was”, because apparently he was killed in a car crash last year.
http://greginhollywood.com/brendan-burke-openly-gay-son-of-toronto-maple-leaf-general-manager-brian-burke-is-killed-in-car-crash-20988
That article references the one where I’d first heard of Brendan:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&id=4685761
Hopefully the second story being so positive makes up for the first.