One Reason for Gay Sports Fans to Watch The Super Bowl: Scott Fujita

Saints linebacker Scott Fujita

What is it about the Super Bowl and the gays? Two years ago it was okay for two guys to kiss passionately (and then bash each other) in order to sell a candy bar. But this year two guys can't kiss to promote a gay dating site.

If that's too "controversial", then why the hell is CBS letting Focus on the Family put on an a pro-life ad? Is it because the Focus on the Family spot features college football star Tim ("Hey look at me,  I've got bible quotes on my face!") Tebow? Grrr! 

It's enough to make me swear off the Super Bowl altogether. But no matter how frustrating the whole event often is for gay viewers, I feel an obligation to tune in this Sunday so I can root for the New Orleans Saints. More specifically, Saints linebacker Scott Fujita.

Why am I a Fujita fan? Because last fall the straight, married, father of two lent his name and officially endorsed the National Equality March. When asked why in a subsequent radio interview here's what he said: 

I think for me it was a cause that I truly believe in. By and large in this country the issue of gay rights and equality should be past the point of debate. Really, there should be no debate anymore. For me, in my small platform as a professional football player, I understand that my time in the spotlight is probably limited. The more times you have to lend your name to a cause you believe in, you should do that.

It's pretty damn rare for a professional football player to lend his name to a pro-gay cause. In fact, besides Fujita there's only one other current player that's gone on record in support of gay rights: Baltimore Ravens' Brendon Ayanbadejo. Also a linebacker. (Clearly, the sport's most enlightened position!) 

Brendon Ayanbadejo

Because Fujita has in the past been vocal about his opinions, it was only natural that the press would hit him up for comment on that Focus on the Family ad featuring Tim Tebow.  Said the pro-choice Fujita, “The idea of focusing on the family — who wouldn’t agree with that? But the means of doing so, [Tebow] and I might not see eye to eye all the way.”

In the same New York Times piece he was also asked about the rejected ManCrunch.com spot. “The idea of doing it at the Super Bowl is going to raise some eyebrows,” Fujita said. “Do they have the right? Absolutely. Is it going to offend some people? Absolutely.”

As far as I'm concerned, Scott Fujita is a class act. I just wish there were more professional sports figures like him and Brendon Ayanbadejo.

So, will you be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday? If so what team are you rooting for?