John Amaechi: "The Man (No Longer) In The Middle"
This story has more frayed nerves attached to it than a Kentucky Basketball team on a two game skid headed into Tuscolousa, Alabama in late February. The former NBA player who is most notable for playing with the Orlando Magic, was in his playing days the only British player in the NBA. Oddly enough, he wore the number #13. A number phobic players stay away from because of superstition. After a stint of retirement, Amaechi came out with some personal bio in his new book "Man In The Middle". More specifically, information about his personal sexual selection/preference. I have not read the book nor do I intend to check it out, not because I have hatred toward Amaechi but because I'm just not interested.The sudden release of the book long after his hayday in the NBA has caught alot of people off guard. Just ask Le Batard of Radio 790 "The Ticket". Le Batard was interviewing Tim Hardaway about the Amaechi book because they were former teammates. Hardaway without warning began to speak displeasure with the books revelation and quite frankly said, "I hate gay people".Hardaway continued by saying that he felt Amaechi should not have been allowed in the locker room, if the world had known it back then. Le Batard informed Hardaway that his quotes made him a Homophobic and a biggot. Hardaway later apologized.On ESPN's Cold Pizza, Amaechi said the response was "overwhelming positive" the "emails were rewarding" and that there was a small minority of hate being spoken. Mark Cuban the true entrepanuer and Dallas Maverick that he is was quoted as saying if their were any NBA players that wanted to come out they could be rich.
As a former football and basketball player in a much more innocent era, I have to admit I don\'t know how I would have handled the situation.Sports has evolved in a big way. It was so protected and isolated from what could be found in the world. Every so often it seems sports takes a quantum leap. Jackie Robinson broke a barrier. Magic Johnson broke a barrier. The night the Pistons hosted the melee in the stands at the Palace broke a barrier. Floyd Landis broke a barrier. And now this.What do you think will be next?

Signing off from Richmond
Glen

As a former football and basketball player in a much more innocent era, I have to admit I don't know how I would have handled the situation. Sports has evolved in a big way. It was so protected and isolated from what could be found in the world. Every so often it seems sports takes a quantum leap. Jackie Robinson broke a barrier. Magic Johnson broke a barrier. The night the Pistons hosted the melee in the stands at the Palace broke a barrier. Floyd Landis broke a barrier. And now this.What do you think will be next?

Signing off from Richmond
Glen