Matt Leinart's gay-friendly ways in ESPN Magazine

One of the most encouraging developments in the last six months has been the coming-out of former NBA star John Amaechi and the subsequent groundswell of support that was seen across the sporting world. Aside from Tim Hardaway's hateful and ill-advised comments (which got him banned from NBA events -- for a time, at least -- and earned him a collective spanking from the press and other sportsmen), the reaction to Amaechi's decision to come out has been overwhelmingly positive.

Add Matt Leinart's two cents to the pile of goodwill generated by Amaechi's bravery. As our pal Kenneth reports, the Arizona Cardinals QB was given the chance to open up and show what he'd do with the magazine -- and rather than default to Alpha Male machismo, Leinart opted to speak up for understanding.

Leinart noted:

"My favorite article recently was the John Amaechi piece. That was excellent. I appreciate and respect people who are open. That's hard, especially being an athlete."

Up until now it was admittedly very difficult to find a reason to admire the hunky six-foot-five brunette, unless you're into muscles and athletic ability and baby browns and chiseled jaws and tousled hair and all that. And we don't just fall for a nice lobby, do we fellas?

Right?

Hello? Is this thing on?

More pics of Leinart after the jump.