Jim Buzinski

(This story was published in 2004). Terrell Owens implies that Jeff Garcia is gay. Garcia denies it and mentions that he has had girlfriends. The mainstream media is excited. I yawn. I confess that the Owens-Garcia lover’s quarrel, as one friend jokingly dubbed it, leaves me underwhelmed. I don’t think Owens’ comments, while classless and […]

The reaction to the coming out for former Major League Soccer player Robbie Rogers has been all positive. Further evidence of this happened when Sports Illustrated soccer writer Grant Wahl did a survey of 18 players on a variety of league issues. He granted the players anonymity in return for them being open and one […]

"This isn't a sex issue, it's a love issue," the former light-heavyweight champion tells Outsports about why he is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to approve same-sex marriages.

Players Use Homophobic Slurs to Attack Writer

Everything You Need to Know About the Big Game

(This story was published in 2006). The cost of calling a fellow NFL player a “fag” is $10,000. That was the fine levied on Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter (left) for what the league called “vulgar, inexcusable statements” against Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow. It is believed to be the first time the league […]

(This story was published in 2007). (Editor’s note: Update of Dungy’s speech at the bottom). Tony Dungy has every right to speak at a dinner of the Indiana Family Institute, which opposes gay rights. But he needs to be accountable for whether he shares the group’s political goals. Dungy, head coach of the Super Bowl […]

Two Chicago sports legends — Ernie Banks and Richard Dent — are among athletes who have signed a letterr urging Illinois legislators to pass a bill allowing same-sex marriage. Banks is known as Mr. Cub, while Dent was a feared pass rusher for the Bears. Both are in the Hall of Fame. A letter showing […]

Travon Free is a writer for "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," but was a college basketball player at Long Beach State from 2003-2007 and helped the 49ers to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Two years ago, he came out as bisexual on his blog. In an interview with Think Progress, Free says he considered coming […]

The president of Nigeria's women's soccer federation, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, said that any lesbians will be kicked off the team. From All Africa: "It (lesbianism) is happening but we have to talk to the clubs, and look inside the clubs and these things have to do with clubs," Onyedinma said. "There are particular clubs that don't […]

Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers says common sense shows there are gay players in Major League Baseball and he would “absolutely’ welcome a gay teammate. The star pitcher acknowledged that a gay player could be hesitant to come out openly for various reasons but that he would be accepted by the Tigers. He told […]

`I Didn't Realize It Would Be So Harmful,' Running Back Says

(This story was published in 2002). San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst plays in the gay mecca of the U.S., but he has no trouble throwing the “F” word around when it comes to having an openly gay teammate. “Aww, hell no! I don’t want any faggots on my team. I know this might […]

(This story was published in 2002). By: Jim Buzinski and Cyd Zeigler Jr. “I don’t want any faggots on my team.” Apology or no apology, this sentiment that Garrison Hearst uttered to a reporter doesn’t just go away. Hearst doesn’t want a “faggot” on his team today any more than he did a week ago. […]

CBS announcer has a way with (homoerotic) words

The decision by the International Olympic Committee to drop wrestling as a core sport in 2020 was baffling. Even more baffling was this comment by Vladimir Uruimagov, a Russian wrestling coach: "If they expel wrestling now, that means that gays will soon run the whole world." Yeah, right. Gay people hate watching wrestling. These photos […]

(This story was published in 2001). “I love baseball, but the majority of baseball hates a faggot.” Dug Funnell doesn’t mince words. This sentence was one in a long letter Funnell, a baseball fanatic, has sent to more than 5,000 players, managers, owners, front office officials and broadcasters in the past 15 years. It’s been […]

Coverage of Sparks and closeted gay baseball player was positive and non-judgmental

(This story was updated on May 15, 2001). Out Magazine Editor In Chief Brendan Lemon wrote a column last week in his magazine claiming that for a year and a half, he has been “having an affair with a [closeted] pro baseball player from a major-league East Coast franchise.” I personally remember how tough it […]

The reasons athletes stay closeted and why they might consider coming out