John Amaechi, Former NBA Player, Admits He is Gay
February 8th, 2007 by Michael StephensCoach Doc Rivers, whose Boston Celtics are riding a staggering 15-game losing streak, was probably glad to be asked about anything but that during his news conference last night.
But it had to come as a surprise that he was talking about John Amaechi (pictured) being the first NBA player to publicly come out of the closet and admit that he is gay.
The former Magic and Jazz forward, who averaged 6.2 points per game over five NBA seasons, is due out with a book, called “Man in the Middle,” in which he reveals he is homosexual.
John Amaechi played two seasons for Rivers, appearing in 162 of 164 possible games and starting 89 from 1999-2001 with Orlando.
“I was coach of the year [with Orlando in 2000]; John started for me at the power forward spot,” Rivers told the Boston Globe. “He was great for me. He was great for our team.”
Rivers said he did not know of Amaechi’s sexual orientation. Or care.
“So what? Can he rebound? Can he shoot? Can he defend?’John Amaechi was a great kid,” Rivers said. “He did as much charity work as anyone in our city. I wish that is what we focused on. Instead, we’re focusing on sexual orientation, which I could give a flying flip about.”
The Celtics coach was asked if he thought today’s NBA would be accepting of a homosexual. He said he did not think it would matter in the locker room, because no subject is taboo in the locker room.
He said he would encourage a player to come out.
“It was difficult for people to watch Jackie Robinson and they got used to it,” Rivers said. “And they started cheering for him. It would be difficult for the fans [of today] if the guy couldn’t play. Nothing else should be difficult… John’s a fantastic kid. He’s better than a good kid. He’s just a good guy who happens to have a different sexual orientation. And that shouldn’t be an issue. But it is. And I know why it is. When guys do come out, when that day does happen, [this will] make it easier. I hope so. I can’t wait until it’s not an issue. I really can’t.”
Elsewhere, the reaction to Amaechi coming out was primarily positive. The world’s most famous gay athlete, tennis legend Martina Navratilova, was quick to congratulate Amaechi with his decision:
“It’s hugely important for the kids so they don’t feel alone in the world. We’re role models. We’re adults, and we know we’re not alone but kids don’t know that,” she said. “He will definitely help a lot of kids growing up to feel better about themselves.”
Orlando’s Grant Hill, who said he didn’t know Amaechi when he was with the Magic, also applauded the decision to go public.
“The fact that John has done this, maybe it will give others the comfort or confidence to come out as well, whether they are playing or retiring,” Hill said.
NBA commissioner David Stern said a player’s sexuality wasn’t important.
“We have a very diverse league. The question at the NBA is always ‘Have you got game?’ That’s it, end of inquiry,” he said.
The responses from some players, however, displayed the bigotry still present in male professional sports.
“As long as you don’t bring your gayness on me I’m fine,” said Shavlik Randolph, the Philadelphia 76ers forward. “As far as business-wise, I’m sure I could play with him. But I think it would create a little awkwardness in the locker room.”
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers branded Amaechi’s decision not to declare his homosexuality while playing as untrustworthy.
“With teammates you have to be trustworthy, and if you’re gay and you’re not admitting that you are, then you are not trustworthy,” James said. “So that’s like the number one thing as teammates, we all trust each other. You’ve heard of the in-room, locker room code. What happens in the locker room stays in there. It’s a trust factor, honestly. A big trust factor.”
It is believed that John Amaechi’s admission makes him the sixth professional male athlete from one of the four major U.S. sports - basketball, baseball, football, hockey - to openly discuss his homosexuality.
Amaechi will not “out” any other players in his book but he confirms he believes there are other gay players in the league. He also reveals that he discussed the issue of coming out with some of his gay peers during his playing days but he does not reveal any names.
“I don’t know if there are a lot, but there are some,” Amaechi said. “But, you know, I don’t really want to talk about it because I think that the coming out process for these individuals… it is theirs and theirs alone. And I don’t think that they should be pressured or pushed for the good of the gay community or otherwise.”
“It’s a frightening prospect. It’s terrifying. There are people for whom their entire world is based around this idea that people will look at them and, when they look at them, they are NBA superstars, NBA players. And any change to that would be physiologically devastating. Emotionally devastating, financially devastating.”
Sadly for an NBA player to come out is major news. Far more so than Grey’s Anatomy star T.R. Knight or anyone else in the entertainment industry. Orlando’s Pat Garrity probably summed up the situation best, when he acknowledged reaction was bound to vary throughout the league.
“They would have teammates that would accept them for being a good person and a good teammate, and there would be people who would give him a hard time about it,” he said. “I think that’s true if you’re playing basketball or in an office job. That’s just how the world is right now.”
