LSU Report Details Divide In Gay Equality In Football

September 15, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Alfred Blue (4) carries the ball against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal Logiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Gegenheimer wrote an excellent feature for The Daily Reveille, Louisiana State’s student newspaper, concerning the growing discussion of gay equality in football.

Opinions in the LSU Tigers locker room differ, if the sharp contrast between running back Alfred Blue and offensive lineman Trai Turner are accurate indicators. Gegenheimer’s entire piece is well worth your time, but the underlining crux is conveyed in these quotes.

Alfred Blue:

"“Football is supposed to be this violent sport — this aggressive sport that grown men are supposed to play,” said senior LSU running back Alfred Blue. “Ain’t no little boys out here between them lines. So if you gay, we look at you as a sissy. You know? Like, how you going to say you can do what we do and you want a man?”"

Trai Turner:

"“College football is a business and you have to conduct yourself in a manner where you respect everyone you deal with,” said LSU sophomore offensive lineman Trai Turner. “I feel like if the person is gay, he must still conduct himself in the manner of a football player, and if a person isn’t gay, he must still look at the person who views himself as gay, or says he is gay, as his teammate.”"

The gay equality conversation is certainly gaining steam. Earlier this week, UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora became the first major program college coach to come out in support of gay football players.

Attitudes won’t change overnight. Moreover, how great the divide truly is, we may not know. A Jim Mora expresses his opinion, and an Alfred Blue comments to the contrary, but these are just two opinions. And while a quote like Blue’s, or that of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver prior to February’s Super Bowl could be met with derision, it’s important to understand the thought process that might prevent gay equality in football. Only through an open dialogue can people enact change.