"Manly" Men and Girlfriends

Ever heard of Nick Kasa? Before yesterday, I had no clue who he was. If you weren't an avid Colorado football fan or fanatical NFL Scouting Combine-watcher, you probably didn't either. This is him:

During Q&A time at the combine, Kasa was asked such questions as: "Do you have a girlfriend? Are you married? Do you like girls?



One, these types of questions have zilch, nada, nothing to do with Mr. Kasa's ability to play football. Two, what sort of professional in such a big business as the National Football League asks about a persons sexuality to the direct violation of collective bargaining agreements? Who would ask questions that are plainly ILLEGAL?

Apparently, NFL scouts, recruiters, and/or coaches.

If the incident proved anything, it's the continuing need for increased dialogue, stricter non-discrimination laws, and better oversight of such actions. To quote, out of context, future NFL player Manti Te'o, the NFL should stand "farrrrrr from it." ("It" being such prejudicial and antiquated questions of its potential employees.) Does this hyper-masculine questioning really surprise anyone? As Mike Florio points out, this echoes over several direct and indirect instances of anti-gay animus from the past year for a variety of reasons from the "ick" factor to twisted religious beliefs. And long holds the stereotype of corn-fed "jocks'" malevolence toward those not of the athletic/warrior archetype.

The implication screams that people who do "manly" work must be straight and heterosexually coupled. Tell that to these gay men:

Cpl. Andrew Wilfahrt - USA, KIA

Ben Cohen - Professional Rugby

Sgt. Brandon Morgan(right), USMC

Robbie Rogers - U.S. Olympic and World Soccer

Gareth Thomas - Professional Rugby

I rest my case on the "manly" men need girlfriends trial of error.

Still, I am confident the NFL should, can, and will overcome this without simply sweeping it under the rug. Former NFL Commissioner, Paul Tagliabue vehemently and monetarily supports LGBTIQ rights. (I would suppose this support comes from first-hand experience with his openly-gay son.) Current, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell publicly - and physically in his youth - defends LGBTIQ people. (See the fact that Goodell's brother is gay and credits him with possibly saving his life.) Several NFL players, notably Ravens' Super Bowl champion linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, come to mind as staunch allies of the  LGBTIQ community.

Chris Kluwe - Minnesota Vikings punter and LGBTIQ ally

Let's see who the real men turn out to be as this case continues to unfold.