Maryland Politician Attacks Ravens Brendon Ayanbadejo For Support Of Same-Sex Marriage
By Josh Sanchez
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo has contributed some time off of the field to writing for his hometown paper the Santa Cruz Sentinel to fight for various political issues. Most recently, Ayanbadejo has been a big advocate for same-sex marriage which has been legalized in Maryland.
Because of that support, Ayanbadejo has found himself at the center of attcks from state house of delegates-member Emmett C. Burns Jr., who also happens to be a pastor.
Burns sent a letter to Ravens owner Steven Bisciotti asking for the owner to take some action against Ayanbadejo.
“I find it inconceivable that one of your players, Mr. Brendon Ayanbadejo would publicly endorse Same-Sex marriage, specifically as a Raven Football player,” Burns wrote. “Many of my constituents and your football supporters are appalled and aghast that a member of the Ravens Football Team would step into this controversial divide and try to sway public opinion one way or the other.
“Many of your fans are opposed to such a view and feel it has no place in a sport that is strictly for pride, entertainment and excitement. I believe Mr. Ayanbadejo should concentrate on football and steer clear of dividing the fan base.
“I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a National Football League Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employees and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions. I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing.”
The Ravens declined to comment on the situation and I doubt they ever will. They shouldn’t, either.
Burns is completely out of line for trying to abuse his political power and spoke out on an issue that is up ballot initiative in November. That is just a completely out-of-bounds move by a man who is supposed to be in a position where he should use a clear mind to make a decision. Burns is using his hatred for a style of living to try to take action against others.
And how can Burns ask an employer to take action against their employee just for freedom of speech? He can’t. Ayanbadejo summed it up best.
“Football is just my job it’s not who I am,” Ayanbadejo wrote on Twitter. “I am an American before anything. And just like every American I have the right to speak!!!”
He’s absolutely right. We need more NFL players to speak up for what they believe in and try to be great ambassadors for not only their teams but for the people who look up to them. Ayanbadejo has a platform that he can use for good and he shouldn’t be attacked for trying to support a group of people.