In a discussion about an NBA player coming out as gay, ESPN commentator Chris Broussard said on the air that he’s a follower of Jesus Christ and believes that homosexuality is against God’s law.
“I’m a Christian,” he stated. “I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin. I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is [sin].”
Today, ESPN issued sort of an apology, saying:
“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.”
They’re committed to “diversity” but not to airing a diversity of opinion?
Everyone in the media is falling over themselves to declare NBA player Jason Collins courageous for announcing he’s gay. And it does take some guts to do so. But they should also recognize that Broussard showed courage himself because he knows that by admitting he’s a Christian he just put his livelihood at risk. I’d bet you pretty much anything that Broussard will get a lot more hate than Collins.
April 30, 2013 at 5:19 pm
Chris Broussard – where did you come from? Articulate and sensible. If ESPN wants to apologize for this courageous speech, so be it. As long as it gets more play.
April 30, 2013 at 5:27 pm
It would be on thing if he came out as 'gay', but here in Boston two of the affiliates made it their top story, while another had it at the 11 minute mark. It was only after the local news (still related tot he bombings) and national news.
Why was ESPN spending so much time on the issue, that would even invite an opportunity in which Chris Broussard to speak up in regard to his own convictions?
April 30, 2013 at 6:50 pm
If they truly welcome diversity they'll welcome Chris Broussard as a committed Christian as much as they welcome the gay basketball player. Unfortunately, diversity in this country does not apply to people holding traditional Christian morality.
April 30, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Gay "rights" (mentioned nowhere in the Constitution) somehow always trump the right to freely exercise one's religion (guaranteed in the First Amendment). This isn't even about pseudo-constitutional "penumbras" anymore…
May 1, 2013 at 2:22 am
First American pro team athlete to come out. Historic and brave as Matt said. Religiously slamming the guy was not classy. Speech is protected only from the government, not from ESPN or the web. Talk as a bigot, expect blowback.
Rover
May 1, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Coming out after being in a relationship with a woman for eight years?
Sorry the man was not hiding or in fear. A person who is gay, may date in high school/ college then stop.
This guy isn't gay, he just likes to have sex with men now, so we all have to praise and support him or else be called a bigot.
If he was gay, then he's the biggest jerk in the WORLD for using this woman as cover during his NBA career!
May 1, 2013 at 4:22 pm
Seems nowadays people are more worried about being liked/esteemed by their peers than by God. They know the truths, because God made Himself known to them, and still they deny Him. And He will deny them because for their pride they participate in the corruption of His creation. Liberals are supposed to be open-minded. Seems their minds are only open to junk and blasphemy. Liberalism is a mental disorder because they have chosen to pollute their minds with obstinate and grave sin.
May 1, 2013 at 5:36 pm
So they regret a respectful discussion of personal viewpoints? What, they wanted a knock-down, drag out (no pun intended), nasty old fight? I suppose that would have improved ratings.
May 1, 2013 at 6:58 pm
How does it take courage to admit that you are embracing evil in today's evil world? ESPN is ok with this? That evil isn't evil anymore…it's just "diversity"?
My mom actually said something about this last night at dinner. She couldn't believe that Barack Obama called to congratulate this man. Lying, betraying and using an innocent woman for eight years and then embracing the demonic…and that gets a "high five" from the leader of this country? The only true courage is when people with SSA seek chastity and wholeness in Christ. THAT is courage. It's also courage for this Christian commentator to speak the truth. God bless~
May 1, 2013 at 7:50 pm
The article I read on Lifesite News states that ESPN is still standing behind Chris Broussard. It's pretty detailed. God bless Chris Broussard for his witness.
May 1, 2013 at 10:27 pm
Yeah, sure. They'll stick behind him until the heat gets turned up. Please! We may be Christians but we have received a rude and shocking awakening the past few years. Good Christian people have just turned their heads and done nothing. The flames are too close and they won't give up their comforts. So the squeaky wheels will not only be heard but they will be apologized to. There is a time to turn the other cheek and a time to overturn the tables in the temple. We have to defend the faith.
May 2, 2013 at 2:47 am
If Chris B is such a Christian he'd have been spending his career speaking out against all the other public sinning that NBA playes do.
… crickets….
Yeah, he's not so much a Christian as he's suddenly USING Christianity as a vehicle to display his prejudice against a group of citizens. And as a Christian, that's offensive.
and to the fool anon above: Obama didnt conratulate his deception, he congratulated his cessation of deception. Sheesh. There's no making you happy, is there?
May 2, 2013 at 4:45 am
If Chris B is such a Christian he'd have been spending his career speaking out against all the other public sinning that NBA playes do.
Has Chris Broussard been asked his opinion about the behavior of other NBA players? Moreover, has a player ever made special mention of his sexual exploits in order to garner adulatory media attention? No.
Yeah, he's not so much a Christian as he's suddenly USING Christianity as a vehicle to display his prejudice against a group of citizens. And as a Christian, that's offensive.
Oh please. I find your use of Christianity as a bludgeon to mope about pretend prejudice to be offensive.
May 2, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Who the hell wants a sportscasters opinion about what kind of sex he approves of?
May 2, 2013 at 6:33 pm
[Gay "rights" (mentioned nowhere in the Constitution) somehow always trump the right to freely exercise one's religion ]
Someone has forbidden you from getting married in church?
May 2, 2013 at 7:24 pm
ESPN was not as bad here as you've painted it. They also defended Broussard who was attacked for this witness.