Mike Wallace Tweet About Jason Collins Taken Down After Backlash
After Jason Collins came out as gay today, Twitter was flooded with messages of support. Former teammates, coaches, and fellow NBA players stepped up to the Twitter microphone to applause Collins for his bravery. Others, like Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace, sent out homophobic tweets.
Wallace wrote that he was “shaking his head” when he learned that Collins was gay.
Wallace wrote on Twitter: “All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH.”
Wallace removed the tweet after he was criticized for being homophobic. The Dolphins receiver later took to Twitter to explain his statement, saying that he didn’t thing that being gay was wrong, just that he didn’t understand it.
Wallace wrote: “Never said anything was right or wrong I just said I don’t understand!!! Deeply sorry for anyone that I offended.”
Collins became the NBA’s first gay athlete today and the first gay athlete in one of North America’s four major sports. The NBA has been extremely supportive so far as several players, teams, and coaches have released statements commending Collins for his bravery.
NBA commissioner David Stern said: “We have known the Collins family since Jason and Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family. Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.”
There have been rumors that the NFL would soon see its first gay player but there are obviously some players who still hold reservations about playing on the same field as an openly gay player. Hopefully, an NFL (or NHL or MLB) player follows Collins example and Kobe Bryant’s advice.
Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don’t suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 29, 2013
What do you think of Mike Wallace’s tweet? Do you think Jason Collins will inspire other athletes to come out as gay?
