NBA player Jason Collins publically coming out as gay made the subject of homosexuality in professional sports a talking point. Retired NBA player and current TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley shared his opinion on gay athletes on Tuesday during the Dan Patrick Radio Show.
"I had several teammates, I probably had three or guys [sic] I played with in my 16 years," Barkley said. "But like I say, think about Jason Collins, he played on six teams, so six teams played with a gay guy. And so, everybody has played with a gay guy, you just didn't know he was a gay guy."
Barkley, who played in the NBA from 1984-2000, never thought playing with gay teammates was an issue.
"Everybody played with a gay teammate, Dan. And it's no big deal. First of all, I think it's an insult to gay people to think that they're trying to pick up on their teammates," Barkley said. "But everybody has played with a gay teammate... It's obviously discussed, privately, because the problem is, Dan, unless somebody tell you they're gay, you can't say a thing about them being gay. You know, until somebody has the courage, and I think it takes great courage to come out, it's kind of an unspoken word to be honest with you."
The idea of homosexuality being a "don't ask, don't tell," policy in professional sports is not surprising given that Collins is the first and only actively-playing athlete to come out.
Players and non-players alike have voiced their support for Collins. Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Tony Parker and even former U.S. president Bill Clinton all have commended Collins for his courage to come out.
Barkley agreed with former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, who said that he had never thought about who Collins slept with before and he still doesn't now.
Based on Barkley and Schilling's comments, along with the outpouring of support, most athletes seem disinterested in the sexuality of their teammates.
"...Until a gay guy comes out, it's none of your business," Barkley said.
