Former Florida Congressman Allen West
rejects the idea that Jason Collins showed courage in becoming the
U.S.'s first openly gay professional athlete.
In a Sports Illustrated cover
story, Collins co-wrote about his struggle being gay in the NBA. The
34-year-old 12-year NBA veteran's announcement was welcomed by
President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton.
Those accolades didn't sit well with
some, including Ben Shapiro, the editor-at-large of the conservative
Breitbart News, who tweeted: “So Jason Collins is a hero because
he's gay? Our standard for heroism has dropped quite a bit since
Normandy.”
(Related: Breitbart
editor Ben Shapiro defends saying Jason Collins is not a hero.)
The announcement also rankled
conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who asked his listeners, “Why
can't everybody just put your sexual preferences on Facebook and call
it a day?”
(Related: Jason
Collins' coming out leaves Rush Limbaugh feeling left out.)
In a NextGeneration.tv segment, West
followed suit.
“I tell you, courage would be being a
gay basketball player in let's say Iran, and coming out publicly. I
do not think it takes courage to state something that would result in
your becoming a darling,” West said. “So, you can bet my not
jumping on the Jason Collins hit parade will draw the ire of those
who swim with the current and fawn over that which is culturally and
politically correct.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
West went on to state that heroism
should be reserved for people like Sgt. Greg Robinson, the first
amputee to complete Army air assault school, a grueling 10-day
course.