Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker
Brendon Ayanbadejo has offered to help the University of Mississippi
to reach out to its athletes on LGBT inclusivity.
Last week, as many as 20 freshman football
players reportedly shouted derogatory slurs at actors involved in the
staging of The Laramie Project, which is based on the 1998
murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of
Wyoming.
(Related: Ole
Miss officials condemn freshman athletes' gay slurs.)
Ayanbadejo criticized the behavior,
calling it “abhorrent and unacceptable.”
“I blame the administration as much
as I blame the athletes,” Ayanbadejo
wrote in an op-ed published on Fox Sports. “This is a graphic
play and a graphic production. People need to have an idea of what
they are getting themselves into.”
“[Y]ou need to have a conversation
with these athletes when they set foot on any campus as to what is
expected from them as representatives of the university.”
Ayanbadejo, a member of Athlete Ally, a
group that works to end homophobic speech in sports, volunteered to
get involved with the school.
“So before Ole Miss is quick to hand
down punishment I would like to see them take a more holistic and
proactive approach in educating students and student athletes alike.
All you have to do is reach out and I will be happy to discuss how I
can help you take the next step.”