CORRECTION: Outburst does NOT use gay slur

I got this all wrong. Please UPDATE and CORRECT any stories about this incident. This is all just an unfortunate misunderstanding.

UPDATE - Harbaugh uttered sideline profanities, but none were a gay slur:
http://glaadblog.org/2009/12/03/stanford-coach-jim-harbaugh-tells-glaad-youtu...

I am very sorry to Coach Jim Harbaugh and his family for questioning something which I now accept did not occur on the sidelines. It was a simple misreading of what was said and it was not my intent for this to snowball into some sort of character assassination of a coach that I have liked and respected as both a player and coach. I would also like to apologize to Stanford University and everyone else impacted by this story. That includes apologies to all the other bloggers and commenters out there who may have agreed with my original misperception of the clip and ran with this story. A final thank you to GLAAD for helping to clear up this misperception and getting straight to the facts.

I made this clip private on Thursday immediately upon seeing GLAAD's press release and seeing Harbaugh's clarification of what happened. I thought making the clip private (so no one could see it) would help the misinformation from spreading, but doing so somehow made things even more unclear. So I've made the clip public again only because it seems to be the best way to make sure that this update/correction/retraction gets out there into those website which have already embedded the clip into their websites. (If Stanford or Harbaugh feel making the clip public again might make matters worse, then I may take this clip down altogether.)

I attend between 30 and 40 professional or NCAA games every year and perhaps my perception of what was said on TV was affected from being in the stands and all too frequently hearing similar taunts and slurs being used by fans against opposing teams. I wish more people would understand that even though those slurs are not being directed against any gay person in general, that it still creates a very hostile atmosphere -- whether you're gay or straight. But when you're gay and at a sporting event and you hear those gay-bashing taunts, it can feel especially threatening.

From the beginning, I have always framed this post in the form of a question (even using a question mark in the title of the clip) and used the words "appears to yell " to qualify the description of the incident. Since I am now stepping back from even questioning what was said, I would also appreciate if those isolated few who posted threats of physical harm would also back down. Thank you.

Finally, I actually AGREE with Coach Harbaugh. Holding was a bad call and the penalty shouldn't have been called. (Toby Gerhart ran for about 20 yards and a first down on the very next play, which only added to his 200+ yard game and increased his Heismann chances. Good luck in New York at the ceremony next week, Mr. Gerhart!)

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Stanford
• Notre Dame
• football
• coach
• Jim Harbaugh
• NCAA
• NFL
• Pac 10
• Pacific 10 Conference

[dnl7864]

I am a gay man, and if he did use the word oh well. Means nothing to me, and it shouldn't mean anything to you. You should not let a word have so much power over your life, it is just a word. I don't even know the man, so I know he wasn't calling me a faggot, so why should I take offense. People are too sensitive for their own good.

[mmichaelgardner]

Using the word "faggot" has nothing to do with insulting gay people and you know it. Just shutup and get off your damn soapbox.

[bebenic]

@christopherpage08,

freedom of speech does not protect anyone from reprisals. for example, most universities have instituted rules against hate speech by employees. while the coach may be allowed to call a woman or a man a non-gender-specific term like 'asshole', he may not call them dykes, faggots, kikes, wetbacks. niggers, etc. when a coach signs a contract agreeing to certain proscriptions, he is bound by his word. he can then be fired for violation of his contract.

get a clue!

[prmaninla]

Dude you got it right the first time. He can say he didn't say it, but any lip readers no otherwise. Can't believe Harbaugh lies about this. Not even man enough to admit he used a slur.

[XforeverlongingX]

@dentiled I care

[KrakDag]

Sarcasm or insanity? It's hard to know these days.....

[neworleanslady2009]

This is some faggot ass shit.

[DavorMATF]

God fearing Christians have murdered more people than Hitler. In the name of love :D

[bebenic]

@dentiled,

apparently the coach cares. this is Harbaugh's official statement: I would like to state unequivocally the alleged anti-gay remark that some have attributed to me did not come from my mouth and any such assertion is hurtful to me, members of my family and the gay community. Those who know me know I never use slurs under any circumstances; the bias reflected by spiteful slurs is simply not in my heart.

but he is a real man. unlike you assholes who think saying f****t is ok.

[zaqxaq]

If you fear God, then you should respect other people, including homosexuals.

[Goggy021]

Idiot:-)

[gnesp]

Thank you for your insightful and relevant comment. Not.