Robert Griffin III told GQ that he believes the climate is right for a gay player to come out. Credit: Getty Images
Robert Griffin III is taking to being the king of D.C. sports unlike the majority of Washington politicians he shares a zip code with. He is telling the truth about how he feels.
Yes, in true D.C. fashion he flip-flopped regarding his initial anger towards head coach Mike Shanahan this week. But RGIII was more than clear about this: he believes the climate is right for a gay NFL player to come out.
“Yeah, man. I think there are [gay players] right now, and if they’re looking for a window to just come out, I mean, now is the window,” Griffin told GQ Magazine. “My view on it is, yes, I am a Christian, but to each his own. You do what you want to do. If some Christians want to look at being gay as a sin, then thinking about other women, committing adultery – or any of those other sins that are in the Bible – those are sins, too. And God looks at all of us the same way.”
Those words are encouraging, especially considering how religious RGIII is and considering that he’s a Republican. The stereotype has certainly been out there that members of the religious right are anti-gay.
Whether or not RGIII’s comments carry any weight with any current gay NFL players, remains to be seen but this “climate” seems to have shifted dramatically over the past few months.
The year started with 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver telling radio host Artie Lange, “I don’t do the gay guys man. I don’t do that. No, we don’t got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.”
In April, former Ravens corner and gay civil rights activist Brendon Ayanbadejo said that he knew of four NFL player who were gay and ready to come out. Around the same time, NBA player Jason Collins made international headlines by coming out.
Follow Metro Boston sports editor Matt Burke on Twitter @BurkeMetroBOS
