Back then [when Esera Tuaolo came out] one-time teammate Sterling Sharpe, in reaction to Tuaolo’s news, said an openly gay player wouldn’t make it to his next game. Today, Section 1 of the NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement reads: “No Discrimination: There will be no discrimination in any form against any player by the Management Council, any Club or by the NFLPA [NFL Players Association] because of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or activity or lack of activity on behalf of the NFLPA.”

Various teams have taken strides as well, as we previously pointed out with the Giants and Patriots.

Still, I wonder what opportunities were lost when Paul Tagliabue stepped down as NFL commissioner in 2006. Tagliabue introduced gay sensitivity training to rookie symposiums. His son, Andrew, is gay and works for PFLAG; I just wonder how much more would have been done, and how much more willing to talk about the issues the NFL may be, if Goodell hadn’t come into the picture.

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I put it on me. I don’t really think there were ever any incidents outwardly that I can remember where I felt particularly offended by something that had happened or something that someone had said. I had just made the decision…that I just didn’t know what would happen. That was really my problem. No one in a position like mine had ever taken this step. I couldn’t watch anybody go through it and say, ‘You know, that can work out okay.’ So maybe I’m just not going to risk it.

And I had great family, great friends that were supportive. But I just put a barrier around that part of my life in my work environment…. “

With every person in sports like Welts who comes out, the fear of the unknown shrinks. With all of the coming-out stories in sports we’ve heard since 2000, not a single one in male sports has been negative. Last year was a bellwether year, with so many people coming out across the spectrum of sports…and all of them being met with open arms.

Some of those open arms were from Welts’ new team, the Golden State Warriors:

The next day I got a call from the new owners of the Golden State Warriors, who just paid the highest price ever paid for an NBA team. It was so great. They knew my story before we sat down. And we spoke for probably six hours the first time we got together, and it wasn’t until about four hours into the conversation there was one question: ‘Hey, how did that ownership in Phoenix react to that announcement of yours.’

As we all know, Welts got the job.

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Sports media, 2004. When I first met LZ Granderson he was writing sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and opening a gay bar in Atlanta. From our first meeting, Granderson struck me as a smart, personable, soulful guy who was on the verge of something big. That big chance came when he was hired as a freelance writer for ESPN The Magazine in New York City in 2003, “the year LeBron entered the league, we’re bonded for life,” Granderson jokes.

From that position, Granderson’s big personality blossomed. He moved into a position as an NBA editor at the Magazine on Oct. 15, 2004, and eventually made his way to ESPN.com’s Page 2. There he made a name for himself, often taking controversial positions like criticizing John Amaechi for waiting until his retirement to come out (Granderson had previously scored an interview with Sheryl Swoopes, who came out while an active player).

With Granderson embedded at ESPN, the company had a go-to guy on gay issues. Instead of turning to sometimes homophobic former players for comments on gay issues, Granderson became a voice of inclusion at a company that openly embraced its gay employees. This year alone Granderson took various opportunities to set the record straight at ESPN on athletes’ homophobic actions (Kobe Bryant) and welcome newly out professionals in sports (Rick Welts).

Granderson has since landed a high-profile columnist gig at CNN.com and appears regularly on the network. Amidst all of this he does countless speaking appearances and this weekend will receive the NLGJA’s Journalist of the Year Award at their annual convention in Philadelphia.

For more information:

• Outmedia’s page on LZ Granderson
• ESPN’s archive of Granderson columns
• Granderson’s column on Amaechi coming out

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Our good friend LZ Granderson was named the group’s journalist of the year. LZ has made a name for himself taking controversial positions on issues and arguing them with passion and intelligence. He’s also been fantastic on the issues of gays in sports. Congratulations, LZ!

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But the evening wasn’t about whether we won or lost, and it was a lot of fun (even if the ceremony was a little long). I don’t know why it’s still amazing to me that so many people know about Outsports, but it’s great to see so many faces recognize our community here and the hard work that all of our contributors — writers and readers — put in.

Some photos and personal thoughts about the event after the jump.

After the ceremony I chased down Sigourney Weaver (a fellow Stanford alum) to ask her how she got Stanford all over Avatar (as far as I know, it’s the only brand name in the entire movie). She said she thought it was James Cameron’s idea, and he thought it was hers. She accepted an award for her moving work in Prayers For Bobby.

I also got to chat with LZ Granderson (who brought his son to the ceremony, which was cool) and his rep, the indomitable Shelly Weiss. LZ was also nominated and had the same feeling I did: Buccigross would deservedly win the award.

I ran into Scott Evans, who plays in the New York Gay Football League and whose character on One Life to Live was recently cut. He’s moving on to other projects now, auditioning in Los Angeles as I write this.

The talk of the night may have been Ronnie Kroell, whose tailormade suite was a show-stopper. He’s a super nice guy and incredibly handsome.

Best speech of the night was by 11-year-old Will Phillips, the kid from Arkansas who won’t say the Pledge of Allegiance until gays can marry. He ended the speech with a quote from one of his favorite philosophers: “Live long and prosper.” I’m not kidding.

On top of it all, Brian Sims and Larry Felzer were there to share the evening. These two are why we continue to put so much effort into Outsports: In different ways they are both incredible advocates for gay equality in sports. Having people like Brian and Larry as part of our community is better than any award we could possibly win. Sounds like a corny line, but it’s true.

More pics from the event at GLAAD.org.

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So as I was talking with my new gay acquaintance, I reminded him that, in today’s world, there is no such thing as privacy, especially if you are in the public eye, so any little thing you do could fuel rumors. Because of today’s technology and social media, what you had for lunch and with whom could be known by millions of people before you even ask for the check.

It’s really a shame, but I think Granderson is dead-on. It’s the chilling effect our phone cameras and gossip sites have had on gay pro athletes: It’s pushed them deeper into the closet. If you were a starting forward for the Miami Heat, would you let yourself be seen at a candlelight dinner with another guy? Twenty years ago, word wouldn’t have gone anywhere. Ten years ago, it would have been only rumors. But now, you’ll have cameras from TMZ in your face as soon as you step out the door.

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Also, LZ is going to be participating in Mia Hamm & Nomar Garciaparra’s celebrity soccer game this Saturday in Carson, Calif. So if you’re in Southern California, think about heading out for the game Saturday afternoon. Some of the other people playing include Tony Hawk, Marcus Allen, Brandi Chastain and Alexi Lalas.

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The truth is, I’m not so sure that someone hasn’t already come out to his teammates and they just keep it in the family. Some gay people believe that every person of note who is gay should hold a press conference to announce their orientation. I don’t. I just believe in living an authentic life. I never wrote an “I’m gay” column in the newspaper. I just brought my boyfriend to the Super Bowl and let folks who gave a damn draw their own conclusions. John Amaechi stated in his book, “Man in the Middle”, he came out to some teammates long before he came out more publicly and officially became an activist. That situation is hardly unique.

We’ve long talked about the definition of “out athlete” on this site. Many people want an athlete to hold a press conference, but I think, like Granderson, that a big announcement is so unlikely. Why would an athlete do that instead of just taking a boyfriend to team events or speaking engagements? It’s so important to have the backing of the team, and that alone would probably take years to develop. I like LZ’s thinking here: It is happening, we’re just not seeing it. And yeah, LZ thinks we’re a long way from seeing someone hold one of those press conferences.

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