Derrick Gordon The 'firsts' continue in American sport, with a division one college basketballer coming out – with full support from his team and university. UMass player Derrick Gordon has told ESPN about how he came out to his team with the support of his coach Derek Kellog: Kellogg spoke first. "We're all here together, and we need to love each other for who we are," he said. "One of your family members, your brother, wants to let you know something about himself." There was a pause. And then Kellogg tried breaking the ice. "I wanted to let you all know I'm gay," the coach said. His players all looked at him, stunned. What? Gordon took his cue and spoke up. "No, he's not. But I am." His team quickly responded that he was family and they were behind him 100 per cent. Gordon had been following the news about NBA veteran Jason Collins and NFL prospect Michael Sam coming out, and had support from a network of people behind the scenes, including Collins. "I was thinking about summer plans and just being around my teammates and how it was going to be," Gordon has told ESPN. "I just thought, 'Why not now? Why not do it in the offseason when it's the perfect time to let my teammates know and everybody know my sexuality?' " Now he is out, he says “it's an indescribable feeling, honestly. I couldn't be any happier. I feel like I can fly." UMass has been swift to publicly support Gordon, from his coach Kellogg to the University’s Chancellor. "I have the most profound respect for Derrick and the decision he has made to come out publicly,” Kellogg says. “He is a model student, a terrific competitor, but most importantly, he is a wonderful human being. We know his decision weighed heavily on him for some time, but as a coaching staff, a team and a family, we stressed to him that we support him in every way possible.” Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy says he truly admires Gordon."Derek is a superb student-athlete who represents our campus with distinction. The poise and confidence with which he has shared his personal story embody our campus's shared values of respect, inclusion and diversity." The team says if he cops any flack on the court, or from opposing fans, they will “pick him up”. Gordon, a sophomore shooting guard, is now focusing on his dream of making the NBA.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 10th April 2014 - 8:42am