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Pete Olsen is a recent law graduate from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law where he was President of Moritz's Sports and Entertainment Law Association.(read more)
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Ex-New York Giant David Tyree Shows his Bigotry and Ignorance in NOM Video
4 Comments | Posted by Pete in Homophobia in Sport
Since my last post about New York Giant Michael Strahan supporting marriage equality, Giants co-owner Steve Tisch vocalized his support for the cause as well.
Unfortunately, today, another Ex-New York Giant, wide receiver David Tyree (you’ll only recognize his name as being the miraculous helmet Super Bowl catch guy), vocalized his opposition of marriage equality with the National Organization for Marriage. In the video, Tyrees spewed the standard outdated, bigoted, and ignorant religious rhetoric we have come to expect.
While the entire video could be deconstructed in depth, here are some of the more glaring errors in his reasoning:
(1) Purporting that boys need a dad to become men and that girls need a mother to become women ignores millions of pieces of evidence (people developing just fine).
Having that stance is offensive to anyone that was raised in a single parent home, raised by an aunt or uncle, or raise themselves. Using that perspective to justify your bigotry is idiotic. The number of people that influence the development of our youth reaches far beyond parents. And even with no influence at all, boys still grow up to be men, and girls still grow up to become women.
(2) Justifying what you think is “traditional marriage” with history is ignorant.
Coincidentally, this past week was the 44th anniversary of the ruling of Loving v. Virginia, the case that made it illegal to prohibit interracial marriage. Does Tyree realize that the exact same argument about the “traditions” of marriage were made in opposition of interracial marriage?
Additionally, does Tyree actually know about the complex history of marriage and how much it has evolved in time? Not likely.
(3) Saying anarchy will come from marriage equality is stupid.
I posted this graph before, and I will post it again. Do you want to know what will happen with marriage equality for same-sex couples?
This:
Gay Marriage
Okay, that’s enough for now. If you can’t understand how idiotic Tyree sounds, you probably didn’t make it this far anyway.
To close, I wonder if the NFL authorized NOM to use their game footage. Somehow I doubt it. I guess an email to their copyright department might be in order.
4 Comments for Ex-New York Giant David Tyree Shows his Bigotry and Ignorance in NOM Video
Beto | June 15, 2011 at 8:05 pm
Author comment by Pete | June 15, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Where is his heart in the right place? For wanting to have conviction on an issue? Or for wanting to follow what he thinks the Bible / God/Jesus want him to do?
John | June 17, 2011 at 5:45 am
I agree with your main point and I understand your frustration but you will convince no one with that mentality with this demeaning approach to their line of reasoning. Nobody who agrees with Tyree will consider your reasons when you label the way they think “stupid” and “idiotic”. I advise you to change your approach to something a little less demeaning and somebody else might listen.
Author comment by Pete | June 17, 2011 at 7:23 am
Thank you for the feedback John. I do appreciate it.
In some respect, I probably did go a bit too far. But having listened to the extremism from NOM for years, it is tough to be cordial when assessing the nonsense they spew. Additionally, anyone that harbors those views won’t be convinced with any sort of lecture, whether it is cordial or vulgar.
I think his heart is in the right place, but it’s a shame his ignorance blinds him to the bigger picture and not doesn’t realize how his beliefs affect the happiness and rights of others. He seems like a nice guy, but just misguided.