Tucked into this Q&A in the New York Times Magazine piece on the home life of soccer’s Freddie Ljungberg, now with the Seattle Sounders, was a question about gossip and this was his response:
There’s been a gay rumor for a long time. I don’t mind at all. I am proud of that. I love fashion, and I think so many gay people have amazing style. So that is a compliment to me. I really don’t know why people are so interested. I just made a decision that I won’t talk about it.
The Swede is perhaps best known for appearing as an underwear model for Calvin Klein. Ljungberg is single and lives alone in an 8,500-square-foot house on a lake near Seattle, and there was no mention of a girlfriend anywhere in the story (but a couple of references to his dog).
I was a bit confused on his answer to the gay question. What does “I won’t talk about it” mean? He won’t discuss what his sexual orientation is? Or the rumors? And does “I’m proud of that” refer to being proud to be thought gay?
He has been more expansive in other interviews. For example, in reaction to being named the hottest football stud by a gay magazine, he did say: “I am not gay. If I was I would just say I was and it wouldn’t bother me.” Maybe he just got sick of answering the question and doesn’t care what people think.
on Jun 14th, 2010 at 6:37 AM
The Swedes are very cool about sexual orientation I have a swedish gay friend, openly gay to me, who can’t see why he should come out…if it’s Freddie’s position we should respect it. As long as he makes no derogatory comments about gays nobody should out him.
on Jun 14th, 2010 at 11:31 AM
I think he’s bored of answering it. Who cares?
on Jun 14th, 2010 at 4:22 PM
Ooops. I missed this when I posted about it in a couple of other threads. I do have a severe visual processing deficit so I will blame it on that. That said I’d like to respond to the who cares comment from John:
I think that it would be great anytime a celebrity figure comes out. Particularly those who make positive role models. Gay youth need role models every bit as much as straight youth.
Imagine if you are a young gay kid playing sports and a major athlete comes out. Maybe right now, you are wondering if sports are a welcome place for you. But if a major star comes out, maybe you begin to feel that you can fit into the world of sports.
on Jun 14th, 2010 at 4:29 PM
Jim wrote: I was a bit confused on his answer to the gay question. What does “I won’t talk about it” mean? He won’t discuss what his sexual orientation is? Or the rumors? And does “I’m proud of that” refer to being proud to be thought gay?
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I don’t see what’s confusing here. He is talking about the rumors and even says the rumors make him proud. What he is not talking about is whether the rumors are true. Therefore “I just made a decision that I won’t talk about it” is reference to whether the rumors are true.
on Jun 14th, 2010 at 8:59 PM
Jeff Parke is also on the Seattle Sounders, he’s really hot!
on Jun 15th, 2010 at 3:01 PM
I can see why you were confused Jim, as I said in my blog, that response tells me all I need to know.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I seriously doubt it.
on Jun 16th, 2010 at 11:31 PM
I am waiting for the day when an athlete or celebrity responds to this whole “gay rumor” question with “None of your fucking business” CUZ ITS NOT!!!! Anything a guy does is going to fuel the fire anyway. If he’s too evasive or avoids it then its “what does he have to hide?” If he confronts it head on but is defensive or angry its “why the harsh response if he’s not gay?”
This is not 1960 anymore where people feel as though they have to get married and have children. There are many more people out there today who realize that marriage and children are just not for them. Unfortunately, if you are a single man in your 30s with no children and live by yourself and have no girlfriend I guess the “speculation” has to come up. I understand the reason for the article on this website, but the focus of questions for this guy if he hasn’t initiated comments about his sex life and orientation should be how well or not he kicks balls through a net.
on Jun 20th, 2010 at 12:15 PM
I agree with you mdterp01
I’m waiting for the day when straight people stop wearing wedding rings declaring their heterosexuality. I am waiting for the day where I don’t see blatant acts of heterosexuality everywhere I go, all day long, 365/24/7. No more holding hands no more straight wedding annoucements; no more straights kissing in public, no more straights having sex on TV or cable or in movies.
I mean keep it yourself already! It’s nobody’s business!