Scott Fujita is a football player who is not afraid to speak his mind. Most importantly the Cleveland Browns linebacker is an athlete who appreciates the value of his teammates, no matter who they are or their sexuality. As reported by NESN on Friday, in a recent interview with a Cleveland Sports Radio show, Fujita discussed how the NFL Players Association can play an active role in helping gay players feel comfortable about coming out and that a gay player in the Browns locker room would be a non-issue.
Like Vikings punter Chris Kluwe and Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo who have raised their efforts in support of gay rights and marriage equality, Fujita is focused on changing the stereotypes and perception off the field as further understanding and awareness will help players accept gay athletes on the field.
He says in the interview:
"It takes more and more straight athletes to come out and show our support and that's what it's about. I think for far too long there was this reception, or I guess I would call it a misperception, that our locker rooms in the NFL are extremely homophobic and that could not be further from the truth."
Fujita goes on to say that the NFL Combine is not a place where players should be asked about their relationships and that the NFL should be at fault and should also step up to make sure those type of questions aren't being asked and that the players feel comfortable.
"Certainly asking someone about their sexuality - first of all it's against the law. Second of all, it's absolutely a violation of our CBA and that's where the NFL the onus is on them to do the right thing."
Although there have been many players who have been outspoken in saying they would accept gay players in the locker room, there have been a few who have communicated non-acceptance.
In this year's Super Bowl, 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver apologized for comments he made regarding gay players on the team, saying that he "can't be with that sweet stuff. Nah...can't be..in the locker room man." And ironically Tank Carder, a Cleveland Browns rookie, apologized after responding to a comment on twitter by referring to the person as a "faggot".
Fujita was out spoken about his teammates' views and made it clear it was not going to be tolerated in the Cleveland Browns locker room.
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