The Baltimore Sun reported on Thursday that the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens have released linebacker and special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo. The 36-year old believes one of the reasons was because of his gay rights support.
Ayanbadejo told Newsday, “I make a lot of noise and garner a lot of attention for various things off the football field. When that starts happening, why do you have that player around?”
It may be for financial reasons as the Ravens have lost many key players do to salary cap restrictions. According to the Sun, Ayanbadejo was due $940,000 base salary this year, which is the second year of a three-year contract. His contract also included a $400,000 signing bonus. The release saves the Ravens close to $807,000 against the cap.
Ayanbadejo has played 10 seasons in the NFL and has been selected three times to the Pro Bowl. On the field there is no doubt Ayanbadejo has been a contributor and valued by the team. Head coach John Harbaugh said the special-teams ace is “considered one of the foundations of our team”. Off the field, Ayanbadejo has been very vocal and supportive of gay rights. He feels his advocacy may have been too much for the team.
“I don’t necessarily think that teams want this type of attention.”
The attention is Ayanbadejo’s outspoken nature and his commitment to standing up for what he believes in. He was very involved in the push for same-sex marriage legalization in Maryland and was very happy when it was passed in November. The team says the decision was strictly a football decision and had nothing to do with Ayanbadejo’s views.
Ayanbadejo thanked the city of Baltimore and the Ravens organization on his official Twitter account.
He will always be a champion for his commitment in the progression of equal rights for everyone.
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