ESPN analyst calls homosexuality a 'sin' in Jason Collins segment
Credit: Kwaku Alston/For Sports Illustrated
Via: Entertainment Weekly
EPSN analyst Chris Broussard is under fire today for comments made during a segment on NBA star Jason Collins, the Washington Wizards player who became the first openly gay male major American professional sports player after publishing an essay in Sports Illustrated announcing his sexuality.
In a segment during the network’s one-hour special episode of Outside the Lines, Broussard said that, as a Christian, he does not “agree with homosexuality”. The analyst stated that by coming out, Collins is “walking in open rebellion to God and Jesus Christ.” Broussard then declared that “true tolerance and acceptance is being able to… not criticize each other and call each other names", before launching into a personal missive about homosexuality, in open rebellion against his own previous statement about tolerance.
“If you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says ‘you know them by their fruits,’ it says that that’s a sin,” said Broussard. “And if you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality — adultery, fornication, pre-marital sex between heterosexuals — whatever it may be, I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God and Jesus Christ, so I would not characterize that person as a Christian.”
In Collins’ essay in Sports Illustrated, the basketball star wrote, “I take the teachings of Jesus seriously, particularly the ones that touch on tolerance and understanding.”
This isn't the first time Broussard has made similar comments about homosexuality, having previously written, in a 2009 blog post, his belief that homosexuality is a sin. In the post, he declared that while the NBA is “ready for an openly gay player,” he would be “a little uncomfortable at first” at the prospect of having to share a shower and a locker room with a gay player.
ESPN released a statement to Entertainment Weekly regarding Broussard's comments:
“We regret that a respectful discussion of personal viewpoints became a distraction from today’s news. ESPN is fully committed to diversity and welcomes Jason Collins’ announcement.”
UPDATE:
Broussard has released a statement clarifying his comments, via LA Times:
"Today on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today's news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA."