Chris Broussard: ESPN Responds To Jason Collins Gay, Faith Slam
Chris Broussard of ESPN made some heads turn with his comments about openly gay NBA player Jason Collins. Now ESPN is forcing Chris Broussard to backpedal on his thoughts about homosexuality and Christianity.
As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Jason Collins is the first openly gay NBA player who’s been getting support from even Presidents Obama and Clinton.
Jason Collins also calls himself a Christian and this did not sit well with Chris Broussard of ESPN, who said:
“Personally, I don’t believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly, like premarital sex between heterosexuals. If you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you know them by their fruits. It says that, you know, that’s a sin. If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, adultery, fornication .. .whatever it maybe, I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ. So I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I don’t think the bible would characterize them as a Christian.”
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Jason Collins explained his religious beliefs:
“I’m from a close-knit family. My parents instilled Christian values in me. They taught Sunday school, and I enjoyed lending a hand. I take the teachings of Jesus seriously, particularly the ones that touch on tolerance and understanding. On family trips, my parents made a point to expose us to new things, religious and cultural. In Utah, we visited the Mormon Salt Lake Temple. In Atlanta, the house of Martin Luther King Jr. That early exposure to otherness made me the guy who accepts everyone unconditionally.”
Outside of ESPN, Chris Broussard defended his prior statement on Twitter, writing:
“Today on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today’s news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA.”
When speaking about Chris Broussard of ESPN, Jason Collins told The New York Times why he disagreed:
“This is all about tolerance and acceptance and America is the best country in the world because we’re all entitled to our opinions and beliefs but we don’t have to agree. And obviously I don’t agree with [Chris Broussard’s] statement.”
ESPN has since issued an apology for the original Chris Broussard ESPN remarks:
“We regret that a respectful discussion of personal viewpoints became a distraction from today’s news. ESPN is fully committed to diversity and welcomes Jason Collins’ announcement.”
Do you agree with Chris Broussard of ESPN or Jason Collins?
