One of the reasons we hear professional athletes don’t come out is that they don’t have a good reason. “They would risk too much,” we hear. “They can just wait until after retirement.” But of course, even then they keep chasing a million-dollar dangling post-career carrot. So they stay in the closet. Let me introduce [...]
Posts under ‘death’
Moment #17: Brendan Burke’s passing away leaves a void
Part of Outsports’ series on our 100 most important moments in gay sports history. Hockey, 2010. When Brendan Burke, student manager of the Miami (Ohio) hockey team, came out of the closet on ESPN.com in late 2009, the story was touching and heartwarming. The support of his father, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, was [...]
Chuck Dima, the grandfather of gay softball, dies at the age of 81
The gay sports world lost a true legend last weekend when Chuck Dima, known as the “grandfather of gay softball,” passed away on Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 81. Sam Lehman, commissioner of the Southern New England Friendship Softball League, was one of the first two hear the news: Chuck was often [...]
Video: CBS Sports remembers Brendan Burke
CBS Sports has created a segment on the late Brendan Burke. They talked exclusively to members of the Miami (Ohio) hockey team that Brendan managed. This week marks the one-year anniversary of his accidental death. Check out the video after the jump. Thanks to Hudson Taylor for pointing us to it. Share on Facebook
GQ closes the year with Brian and Brendan Burke
GQ finishes 2010 with an in depth look at Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, his gay son Brendan who died earlier this year, and his straight son Patrick who has become a strong advocate for Brendan’s legacy. The writer, Mary Rogan, also does a great job of painting the potential for homophobia lurking in [...]
Chris Kanyon, out former wrestler, dies
Sad news came in this weekend about the apparent suicide of openly gay former pro wrestler Chris Kanyon on Friday. Kanyon was a former tagteam champion with the WCW and WWE and came out publicly soon after he left the WWE in 2004. He was a popular guest on the Howard Stern Show, but he [...]
Brian Burke, USA hockey GM, talks about son
A week after burying his son Brendan, USA hockey GM Brian Burke was in Vancouver talking about his temporary team and the loss of his son. “Your kids are supposed to bury you,” Burke said. “You’re not supposed to bury them. … The saddest thing about it is his future was so bright. The sky [...]
Frisbee inventor Fred Morrison dies
For anyone who has tossed a Frisbee on the beach, or admired someone who did, the inventor of the plastic disc died this week at the age of 90. Fred Morrison’s creation was to me one of the great sports inventions of the last 100 years. I have played Ultimate for almost 20 years, and [...]
Brendan Burke laid to rest
Brendan Burke was laid to rest today in Canton, Mass., just four days after he died in a car crash. [Brendan's father] Brian did not speak during the service, the family eulogy being delivered instead by Brendan’s sister Molly and brother Patrick. Molly described her loving brother as “an invitation to the dance of life.” [...]
Outpouring of reaction to Brendan Burke’s death
Reaction to the death of Brendan Burke has been strong from many corners of North America. People in sports, the mass media, and from gay communities have shown an outpouring of emotion for the young gay son of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke. The Leafs observed a moment of silence and dedicated their 5-0 [...]
Christine Daniels memorial service this Saturday
Rick Reilly has written a fantastic column for ESPN The Magazine bidding farewell to his friends Mike Penner and Christine Daniels. Penner was the LA Times sportswriter who transitioned famously to Daniels, who then transitioned quietly back to Penner. In November Penner took his life, and it left Reilly feeling like he lost two friends. [...]
Gay Olympic silver medalist has died
Gay Olympic silver medalist Mark Leduc has died at the age of 47. He won his Olympic medal for Canada in boxing in 1992. He was apparently found dead in a sauna, and the assumption is that he died of heat stroke: A strange way to go for someone who made his career knowing the [...]
Tennis player Mathieu Montcourt dead
French tennis player Mathieu Montcourt, ranked 119th in the world, was found dead by his girlfriend in Paris. Montcourt had been suspended for betting on other tennis matches and fined $12k; that suspension took effect on Monday. He had bet a whopping $192 on 36 tennis events. Reports are that he died of natural causes, [...]