Washington Wizards center Jason Collins reveals he is gay

Interesting point of view, Nate. Suppose you were interviewed on national TV and you gave an opinion on being FOR gay marriage, but you also represented yourself as Joe Schmoe from such and such company. Would that company would be within their rights to fire you because they felt your statement gave a negative impression of that company to the people who use their products?

BTW, I agree with the first paragraph of your post. That's why I asked what the context was for Broussard's comments. I think that it's a considerably different situation if someone asked him, say, how he felt about Collins' announcement in light of some position Collins had taken in the past to represent himself as a Christian athelete, than if Broussard spouted off his opinions randomly.

 

I'm sure it was something that he obviously didn't think through, and I think it would be different if this was some kind of political show where the guy was paid to be opinionated and controversial. Unfortunately for him, ESPN pays him to break news and give opinions on the NBA. I just really don't see any way he comes out of this with his job still intact. I guess it depends on how viral the video goes.

 

It was all over Twitter until the Seattle Sacramento news came out.

 

Absolutely. When you represent a company, or present yourself as a representative of that company, you open yourself up to being fired because of something you said. If said company felt that my comments were to negatively impact them, they could and probably would fire me. Of course, if a company fired someone for being pro-gay marriage they would probably have to deal with a huge shit storm of negative press, but I don't think I could sue them because it was my fault for saying "Joe Schmoe from such and such a company".

On the flip side, if I gave an opinion on gay marriage and didn't represent myself as working for anyone, then they would be out of bounds for firing me. If I was just "Nate from Portland," I would have legal grounds to sue for wrongful termination. Unfortunately for Chris Broussard, any time he speaks he is "Chris Broussard from ESPN" and in this case he was ON ESPN giving the interview. That's what they pay him for, that's what he signed on for, and that's what is most likely going to end his career at ESPN. I have signed an ESPN contract, and that shit is long and full of all kinds of clauses.

 

I haven't read the thread, so I'm sorry if this has already been said, but...assuming Jason's twin Jarron is gay (they shared genes, I am told), and Jarron and John Amaechi were Jazz teammates in 2001-03 (Jarron's first seasons and Amaechi's last), it brings up the obvious question, is Jerry Sloan (and by extension, Norm van Lier, Dick Motta, and most suspicious due to name Bob Love) part of a gigantic secret gay clique who control the NBA?

 

Sorry, that was already discussed and mostly dismissed.

 

jlprk -- it must be the gay mafia

[video=youtube;UPw-3e_pzqU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPw-3e_pzqU[/video]

 

You notice that 2001 was the Twin Towers? Were they the only gay Jazz, or was there a third, just like Building 47?

 

Broussard shouldn't be fired, because then the ACLU would be forced to defend him. He should just be moved to the Nascar/rodeo beat so he can be around decent god-fearin' folk.

 

Yes, it's really too bad that Jlprk didn't read the thread because Jerry Sloan actually posted a comment denying any and all participation in a gigantic secret gay clique that controls the NBA.

 

It was!!!??? Damn, I am never first at anything.

Did you guys explain the Pentagon attack too? If not I'll work on it. I don't want to repeat your work.

 

Nope. We didn't get to that one. Carry on.

 

I don't think he should be fired. He did not say anything like "I hate gay people", he just gave an opinion that lumped being gay in with heterosexual premarital sex, and said he can't be a good Christian as he is now. I completely disagree with CB, but I think he couched his opinion behind enough religious mumbo jumbo that he should get away with his job. Perhaps a new assignment, or perhaps a public apology (which I always hate), or perhaps with a suspension, but I doubt it's a good ol fashion firing.

 

So, let me get this straight. It's not okay to bully a homosexual for expressing that he's homosexual, but it is okay to bully a Christian for expressing that he's a Christian?

 

LOL yes, Christians, who practically run this country, are so fucking oppressed and bullied.

Nomination for the dumbest comment on S2 today.

 

Are you saying that you can't be Christian without believing that homosexuality is a sin? Because that's essentially what you just said.

 

Christianity and homosexuality can't be equated in the way you're attempting. Also the rest of the situation is different. I don't see how anyone is "bullying" Broussard for expressing that he's Christian.

 

Being gay is not a choice, being a Christian is a bad choice.
Just kidding,

I would say no, its not ok in either situation, but thats not what is going on. it's a company that has an image that it hones carefully, and will hire and fire people based on how they fit the company image. IF CB is fired, and I don't think he will be, it is not because he is Christian, it is because he is sharing an opinion on ESPN, as an ESPN representative, that tarnishes the image ESPN promotes.

 

Ho ho ho.

 

First of all, fuck you.

Second of all... No, I think "fuck you" covered it.