The subject athletes want to keep closeted

The other day a half dozen or so Sonics played hot potato with the John Amaechi story for reasons I don't fully comprehend.

Now you must understand that the majority of these men are college-educated individuals from diverse backgrounds who normally have smart opinions on a vast array of subjects. In my 3-½ years of covering the team, we've talked about everything from pick-and-rolls to politics to Paula Abdul.

But when the topic turned to Amaechi, who last week disclosed that he's gay, the first NBA player to do so, there was nothing but silence.

Several Sonics who worked with and played against the retired center practically ran in the opposite direction when his name entered the conversation.

"Honestly, I don't know enough about being gay to even talk about it," said one player.

"There's been a few things that have been said already by some guys and no matter what you say, someone can misinterpret your words and it's going to turn out bad," said another.

Somebody else added: "That's an old story. Respectfully, I decline comment," referring to his professional relationship with Amaechi.

If this small sample is representative of the larger group, then clearly the NBA isn't ready for Amaechi and his upcoming book "Man in the Middle," which chronicles his journeyman five-year NBA career and his life as a gay man.

There seems to be a fair amount of reluctance to include the Boston-born, British-raised Amaechi, 36, among the pantheon of pioneers in sports. Perhaps his recent disclosure is a publicity stunt, but frankly, I don't care.

His revelation ranks behind Jesse Owens, who ran in front of Adolph Hitler, and Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier. But Amaechi is probably a notch above Jose Canseco, whose book shed new light on baseball's steroids scandal.

We're breaking new ground here, folks. Yes, Amaechi's story is similar to five others who came out after they retired — football players David Kopay, Esera Tuaolo and Roy Simmons, and baseball players Glenn Burke and Billy Bean. But Amaechi is the first NBA player to go public, and for that he should be commended.

Of course it would have been great if he'd had the courage to make this disclosure while he played with Cleveland, Orlando or Utah, but really, when was the last time an athlete in the four major North American sports took a stand on a controversial topic?

Those with advance access to Amaechi's book have said the author doesn't drag anyone out of the closet, but there's enough suggestive detail that will make the stuffed shirts in the league office uncomfortable.

Around the league, reaction has ranged from a few homophobic comments to a general feeling of acceptance.

"In our society, religion, politics and race have been the big topics and now sexuality is up there and for some guys, they're educated on the subjects, but in honesty most guys don't think about these things on a daily basis," Sonics guard Earl Watson said. "And that's true for most people, not just [basketball players].

"Most guys will tell you that they just want to win games and anybody who can help them do that is cool. I don't really care what guys do off the court. That's the same thing with anybody. Whatever they do in their personal life, you just want respect from anyone. It could be from someone who's straight, gay or whatever."

All of this is so easy to say, of course, because no male athlete in the four major sports has ever come out while still playing. Many believe no one will purposely become the spokesman for the homosexual community anytime soon because of the scrutiny and backlash he might face.

"Pioneers take bullets and arrows and they hurt," said Louise Chernin, executive director of the Greater Seattle Business Association, which represents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender interests in the Puget Sound area. "Because you can pass, it takes a lot of courage to be who you truly are. There's a fear that your livelihood will be taken away from you."

Strangely, this fear exists only among men. Several noted women athletes, including Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and Sheryl Swoopes, have thrived on and off the playing field after announcing they're gay.

"It depends on the individual," said Dana Sinclair, a Toronto-based sports psychologist who works with NBA and NFL teams. "If players don't think they could trust the person, there would be more difficulties in terms of the team dynamic.

"A lot of people have a stereotype of the gay life and what that means. If they respond to that, then that doesn't mesh well with the culture of professional sports. But if they respond to the individual, then there's no reason why it couldn't work."

Historically, sports has been at the forefront of social issues, and yet when it comes to dealing with homosexuality, the NFL, MBL, NBA and NHL lag far behind the rest of society, which has dealt with gays in the military, gays in entertainment and gays in public office, although not always adequately.

Perhaps Chernin put it best.

"Every time somebody comes out, it gives a face to an amazing part of diversity," she said. "You open more doors. You allow more people who are closeted to feel that they are encouraged to come out. Whenever that happens, it's very important.

"Sports, certainly men's sports, I don't think many athletes are comfortable because they feel that disclosing who they are will hinder them professionally. So when you shake things up about stereotypes, it's good. Then we can start judging people solely on their skills and abilities."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com