The National Football League (NFL) has
banned discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The addition was included in the
league's 2011 collective bargaining agreement, which was approved by
the league's owners and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) on July
25, WideRights.com
first reported.
“We certainly believe, speaking for
the Players Association, that we have a tremendous social and
cultural impact. We definitely understand the effect that we have on
society and culture, and we feel we have a responsibility to have
very high standards. With something like discrimination of any kind,
we just wanted to make sure we are a symbol for good,” George
Atallah, a spokesman for the NFLPA, was quoted as saying by the
Huffington
Post.
While no professional athlete in the
United States has come out gay during his or her career, earlier this
year former Phoenix Suns CEO Rick Welts announced he's gay. And over
the past couple of years, several straight athletes have openly
advocated for gay rights, including New York Rangers winger Sean
Avery, Phoenix Suns point guard Steve
Nash, New England Patriots safety Bret
Lockett, Carolina Panthers linebacker Nic
Harris, New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie, former Giants
defensive end Michael
Strahan, Washington Redskins wide receiver Donte
Stallworth, Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon
Ayanbadejo, to name a few.