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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew. And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time"
— Jason Collins
NBA Player who came out last season.
FACT OF THE DAY
Two WNBA players on opposing teams, Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury) and Glory Johnson (Tulsa Shock), recently got engaged. USA Today
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Q: What NFL team drafted Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL?
A: S. Louis Rams
USA Today
THE MORNING BREW
Michael Sam, Chip Sarafin open door for future gay athletes
Nearly three months have passed since the famous kiss between Michael Sam and his boyfriend was seen on television sets all across the nation. He had just become the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL after going in the seventh round to the St. Louis Rams.
And now, Sam is looked at by many as an idol, not only for gay athletes who may still be hiding their secret from the public, but also gay people everywhere. And just last week, another football player has followed in his heroic footsteps.
Edward "Chip" Sarafin, an offensive lineman for the Arizona State Sun Devils, has come out as gay and is the first active collegiate player to come out. And just like Sam, his teammates, who have known about his sexual
orientation since last spring, couldn't be more supportive of the 6-foot-6, 320-pounder from Gilbert, Ariz.
It's not about Sarafin or Sam being a gay athlete or what they do off of the field. It's about their audacity to stand up against discrimination, instead of hiding their true identity in fear of how the public will perceive them. It's about not living a lie anymore and breaking the ground for others to do the same
in the future.
In the wake of Sam and Sarafin's public announcement, expect more athletes to come out as gay. It's only a matter of time before we see more of their candid revelations because more athletes will feel comfortable making the announcement after seeing how the public and teammates have reacted and supported both Sam and Sarafin.
Not only will other athletes follow their courageous act, but also other citizens, too, who may still be struggling with identifying as gay.
Although Sarafin has yet to play in an actual game for the Sun Devils, his courage to be himself and help others break out of their shell is what he will be known for. And, in addition to becoming a model athlete to others, he is actively involved with community
groups that specialize in ending discrimination and bullying in youth sports.
Sam supported Sarafin's bravery via his Twitter account. "Congratulations to
Chip Sarafin for having the courage to be yourself. Wishing you and your teammates much success this season. #courage2014."
All in all, sports need more Michael Sams and Chip Sarafins to become role models for those athletes and citizens who may be living in limbo in deciding whether or not to publicly announce themselves as homosexual.
This week in athletics
Edited by Paige Lytle
Thursday
No events
Women's soccer
Wyoming
7 p.m.
Lawrence
Saturday No events
MEN'S BASKETBALL Andrew White III to transfer to Nebraska
Sunday
Women's soccer
SMU
1 p.m.
Lawrence
Monday No events
Tuesday No events
Florida State.
LINCOLN, Neb. — Andrew White III has transferred from Kansas to Nebraska.
Nebraska coach Tim Miles said Monday that White would join his program after playing two seasons for the Jayhawks. White had said in May He would leave Kansas to find a program where he could get more playtime. He picked the Cornhuskers over Maryland, Richmond, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Miami and
The 6-foot-7, 210-pounder from Richmond, Virginia, will have to sit out this season under transfer rules. He'll have two years of eligibility remaining.
White appeared in 19 games last season, averaging 2.3 points and 5.9 minutes. He averaged 2.2 points and 5 minutes in 25 games as a freshman.
Associated Press
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