Odell Beckham Jr. has been at the center of controversy all week following his highly publicized scuffle with Carolina Panthers’ cornerback, Joshua Norman. However, his roller-coaster week, which began with a one-game suspension and reversal, isn’t the only reason why people are talking. Apparently, a number of other rumors have also been floating around. Several news outlets are speculating about the first round draft pick’s sexuality. In fact, it has been reported that Panthers’ players derogatory comments about Odell’s sexuality are what fueled the scuffle.
Sources: Josh Norman has been fined for two Week 15 incidents involving Odell Beckham Jr.: https://t.co/inEEDOXdXB pic.twitter.com/xP3hQOemMg
— ESPN (@espn) December 23, 2015
Giants reviewed pregame incidents b/n Panthers players and Beckham. Are convinced he was threatened physically and called homophobic slurs
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 21, 2015
According to Heavy.com , a pregame incident involving a baseball bat has also surfaced. It has been reported that members of the Panthers’ football team carried a baseball bat onto the field and pointed it at Odell Beckham Jr.’s head.
However, according to Pro Football Talk , the taunting insinuations aren’t new for Odell Beckham, Jr. In fact, he’s reportedly heard gay slurs from players on nearly every time team throughout the entire 2015 football season. During a recent interview with New York Daily News, Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin discussed the challenges Odell has faced since entering the NFL. Irvin also thinks his unique haircut and lean build also contributes to the scrutiny he faces.
“He deals with it a lot. For some reason, everybody goes after him with gay slurs. He’s a different kind of dude,” Irvin said. “He has the hairdo out, he’s not the big muscular kind of dude. The ladies all love him. He’s a star. I wonder why people are going in that direction. It blows my mind. I told him he can’t let stuff that people say get to you.”
Irvin went on to share his own sentiments of the backlash Odell Beckham Jr. is facing. As expected, the 23-year-old receiver feels like he’s being targetted. “I don’t think I’ve ever really seen the animosity towards a receiver ever in the league right now what’s going towards this young kid,” Irvin said. “He’s contrite about it. He can’t believe that it’s pretty one-sided. The attacks are pretty one-sided. He feels so bad this is happening. He also feels like he’s been targeted. I think a lot of players are so upset that he’s getting so much press, so much exposure, without winning.”
So why is Odell Beckham Jr. being targeted? According to Bossip , there are a number of Instagram photos and videos that have raised speculation on social media . By now, most fans know Odell loves to dance. In fact, he’s shared numerous videos showcasing his dance skills when he’s just having fun off the field. Of course, women are still swooning and some guys actually believe he’s quite cool, but then there are others who suggest his dancing insinuates something else.
However, that’s not all. Odell Beckham Jr. is also good friends with R&B crooner Trey Songz. For those who don’t know, Trey Songz has also been the subject of ridicule due to rumors about his sexuality. In the past, many news outlets accused the singer of being gay. Now that Odell and Trey seem to be good friends, the gay rumors have begun circulating yet again. In fact, social media users have also begun trolling the two on social networks.
I liked a @YouTube video https://t.co/pVUy54SYe6 Odell beckham Jr and Trey Songz are Dating?
— Febuaree S da’Artist (@Febuaree) December 23, 2015
At this point, the rumors about Odell Beckham Jr. are nothing more than speculation. The only thing Odell’s videos confirm is that he’s the life of any party and fans love him.
Odell Beckham one-game ban upheld, will miss Vikings game https://t.co/C8pUednVeY pic.twitter.com/LA4R5jl2h9
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) December 23, 2015
Do you think Odell Beckham Jr. should have been suspended at all? Share your thoughts.
[Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images]
