He's Here, He's Queer, But His Ex-Coach Isn't Getting Used To It
Now that former NBA center John Amaechi has declared he's gay, now comes the parade of homphobia-in-pro sports stories.
But first, embedded in the news articles about Amaechi's homosexuality and new book, were comments from Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan (above right), who had a contentious relationship with Amaechi. In the AP story yesterday Sloan was asked if knowing Amaechi was gay would have mattered. "Oh yeah, it would have probably mattered. I don't know exactly, but I always have peoples' feelings at heart. People do what they want to do. I don't have a problem with that."
Although from that statement it sounds like he does.
Not so coincidentally, Sloan was whistling a different tune as news about Amaechi went from a dull roar to a full-blown production number.
John is 1 of 117 players I have coached in the past 19 seasons, and it has always been my philosophy that my job is to make sure Jazz players perform to the maximum of their abilities on the floor. As far as his personal life is concerned, I wish John the best and have no further comment.
Which might be the best course of action right about now.
NBA players, some of whom did play with Amaechi, are doing their darndest to say the right things. For a sampling, visit Outsports.com, which was first with the Amaechi story.
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