The league without a single openly gay player has a “Pride Night” in Super Bowl LVIII – Gudstory

Poor execution can always ruin “good” intentions. A league that hasn’t created enough safe space for gay players is holding a “Pride Night” during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas. This is what a lack of self-awareness looks like.

On Wednesday, February 7, the league will host its third annual “A Night of Pride with GLAAD” gala and will include a performance by singer-songwriter VINCINT. According to the NFL, the event will include talks with GLAAD, “to highlight developments in the future of LGBTQ inclusion in professional sports as well as the NFL’s commitment to former and current LGBTQ players.”

This is the part where Michael Sam is likely to get attention, as the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2013) became the first openly gay player drafted into the league, but has never played a regular-season game. Game of the season – and you know why. Former NFL coach Jon Gruden once referred to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as a “f——-t” and an “ignorant anti-football pussy.” In emailsand said the commissioner should not pressure the Rams to make a “queer” statement about Sam.

“Our third annual Pride Night with GLAAD is another powerful step to accelerate acceptance and demonstrate the NFL’s unwavering support for the LGBTQ community,” said NFL Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Jonathan Beane. In the current situation. “We look forward to continuing and strengthening our efforts to ensure football is for everyone.”

The league is also hosting its second annual Pride Flag Football Clinic at the Super Bowl Experience, in an effort to be an advocate for LGBTQ+ youth and LGBT members of the National Football League. In case you don’t know, “football is gay,” as the league proudly declared from 2021 in a video, where they tried to act like authorities on the matter. In the video, the NFL also made major news by alerting the world that football is also “gay,” “beautiful,” “queer,” “trans,” and “for everyone.” Apparently, until 2021, the NFL didn’t know that any human could play a sport.

“I actually hope that videos like this and the whole advertising process won’t be necessary one day, but until then, I’ll do my best and do my part to cultivate an accepting and compassionate culture.” Carl Nassib said at the time. Nassib also made history The first openly gay player in NFL history When he was out in 2021. He retired in 2023 after playing for three teams (Browns, Buccaneers, Raiders) in seven seasons.

“This is a bittersweet moment for me, but after seven seasons and just over 100 NFL games, I am officially retiring from football to focus on my company, Rayze.” Post on social media. “It feels like just yesterday I started on tour at Penn State. Football has given me more than I could have ever imagined. I can truly hang up my helmet for the last time knowing I gave it everything I had. Growing up, I loved how fun football was. I loved the pursuit of Perfection. I loved the little window where every player has to pursue their dreams. It makes it even more exciting if you get there. It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NFL, even if it’s just a walk-on, and I really feel like I’m the man The luckiest on the planet.

Since the NFL has finally realized that America’s favorite sport isn’t just for straight people, the Super Bowl event is destined to be one of their failed attempts to act like they care about social issues, as the league has a long history of wasting money to make it seem… As if serious matters were of the utmost importance, only for it to later be proven that this was not the case. However, this event is a success. And hopefully the league will have (an ironic line) a similar event next year by partnering with the NAACP to celebrate black owners — without having a majority black owner.