Mark Boles would like to see an NFL team owner lead from the top.
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The mindset of this man looks nothing like the GOP base or of that of any “anonymous” NFL GMs. His remarks are similar to a lot of what’s been said over the past few days but I believe the problem is one of leadership or lack thereof. As we sit and watch Aaron Hernandez on trial for one if not more murders, laugh about Plaxico Burress who shot himself in the leg by accident, talk about not when but how many times Ben Rothlesiberger has been accused of sexual assault or Michael Vick who served time in prison for we all know what, here’s a young man who simply wants to go from the best of a college career to a pro career without having to live a lie.
His teammates embraced him wholeheartedly. His father did not. And now what was once thought to be a first or second round pick is now thought to be a third to fifth round pick. Because of his sexual orientation. He didn’t lie about an online girlfriend. He didn’t get caught with drugs. He told the truth.
So here’s what I wish: I wish a team owner would lead from the top. As I recall Paul Tagliabue had a son who was openly gay. I sat on a board with with Mr. Tagliabue and I can attest firsthand that he was as loving and proud of his son as you can imagine. Roger Goodell remains shamefully as a mime. The head of the NFL Players Association came out with strong positive words, but what I wish was that a team owner would march down to the GM’s office and meet with the head coach and tell them to get the locker room to fall in line and that if they had a problem with drafting one of the best defensive players in college football because of his sexual orientation, well then I’m sure there are plenty of others willing to take his paycheck. Of that I’m certain. And we all know (especially Pats fans) the diamonds in the rough you find in the lower draft picks. Tom Brady to name but one. To be a team that lacked the character to be adults, as an owner would make me ashamed to be an owner. As Mr. Hansen points out, if nothing else this points to the fallacies that exist in the NFL for what’s acceptable behavior. Which when you look at it is pretty disgusting.
Thank you Mr. Hansen for being a shining light in Texas, no less. Well done.
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Originally published on Mark Boles blog