STROMBO: Brian Burke on the prospect of an openly gay NHLer

President and General Manager of the Toronto Maples Leafs Brian Burke talks about encouraging a more tolerant, welcoming atmosphere in the NHL for gay hockey players. Brian's message was inspired by his son, Brendan, a former manager for his Miami University hockey team. In February 2010, Brendan was killed in a car accident at the age of 21.

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[Astral Frost]

Brian is a great man for what he is doing for the gay community. We greatly appreciate it. It is a scary thing to come out in sports.

[TheCrazyJesus]

i think that stupid that players haven't come out to the media. 8-10% of people are gay, there is nearly 1000 players in the league. there is a lot more gay people in sport than we think.

[lekesha washington]

No wonder the NHL is in last place. All these sports are begging for gay athletes. So disgusting.

[Tammy Sue Dow]

one down

[moonfootshaw]

Overall, I think what Brain Burke's doing is wonderful, but that still doesn't give him the right to shame players for not coming out because he thinks it would be easier than they think it would be. I don't think it was intentional, but still. I mean, it's easy for him to say, he's not the one who has to do it. There are so many reasons why a person might not want to come out and they shouldn't be shamed for it.

[moonfootshaw]

@americanhalfwit - wow, your username is very appropriate

[Fred Penner]

If I'm not allowed in a females dressing room, why should there be homo's in mine??? Nobody cares what your preference is, but if they wanna play, then they can get their own room that says "queers" on the door.

And I'd love for more of them to play... I can beat the shit out of them, and won't get arrested

[Mark Krebs]

and your love toy dion

[iN31L]

Yeah, it's pathetic, but there are a lot of people out there who don't accept them.

[robotface74]

im just saying i think its absolutely pathetic that people are still threatened by other people's sexual preference or whatever.

[samuraijack18]

We miss you in Anaheim!