Michael Westbrook's football career is remembered for four things:1. In college at Colorado, he caught Kordell Stewart's Hail Mary pass to beat Michigan in 1994.
2. He was a bust as the fourth pick in the 1995 draft.
3. His unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in a 1997 game against the Giants pushed the Redskins out of field goal range in overtime and likely cost them a playoff berth.
4. He mercilessly pummeled teammate Stephen Davis, punching him in the face repeatedly, during a 1997 training camp practice.
Westbrook tells Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com that the last one still bothers him -- not because he feels bad for beating up Davis, but because there were rumors that he beat up Davis because Davis called him gay, and some people interpreted that as evidence that Westbrook is, in fact, gay. Westbrook wants to clear the air on this one. He's not gay:
"So the connotation is Michael Westbrook is gay. ... My ex-girlfriend heard it about a year ago from this guy and she went nuts. Everybody that knows me knows that's the farthest thing from the truth. For about three years, I wanted to lock myself in the house and never come out.''Think about that for a moment. Westbrook is so obsessed with making sure everyone knows he's heterosexual that the mere possibility that people might think otherwise made him want to lock himself in the house for three years, a la Tom Cruise in Trapped in the Closet. Of the millions of football fans who know who Westbrook is, the ones who care what his sexual orientation is have to be a tiny minority. It's sad that Westbrook worries what that tiny minority thinks.
Athletes and Homophobia
Former NFL player Michael Westbrook claims there is a false "connotation" that he's homosexual because of rumors that he beat up teammate Stephen Davis in 1997 because called him gay. It's not the first time a sports figure has been reported to use the sexual orientation as a slur.
Evan Agostini, Getty Images
NFL quarterback Brady Quinn has denied allegations that he shouted gay insults and was involved in an altercation outside of a restaurant on New Year's Day.
Jeff Gross, Getty Images
In February 2007, former NBA star Tim Hardaway made a series of homophobic remarks during a radio interview. Hardaway stated "Well, you know I hate gay people, so I let it be known," when questioned about the coming out of retired player John Amaechi.
Jesse D. Garrabrant, NBA via Getty Images
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen got into trouble in June 2006 when he referred to Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti as "a (expletive) fag." Guillen was fined an undisclosed amount by the league and ordered to attend sensitivity training.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Former Atlanta Braves closer John Rocker frequently came under fire for his racist and homophobic views, which included statements in a January 2000 issue of Sports Illustrated where he insulted gays.
Matt Campbell, AFP / Getty Images
NFL star Terrell Owens raised eyebrows when he appeared in an interview for Playboy magazine in 2004 and insinuated that his former teammate, Jeff Garcia, was homosexual. "'If it looks like a rat and smells like a rat, by golly, it is a rat.'" Owens said.
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey caused a stir on the Howard Stern radio show in 2002 when he said "If I knew there was a gay guy on my college football team, I probably wouldn't, you know, stand for it."
Jim Rogash, Getty Images
In February 2001, NBA guard Jason Williams, while playing for the Sacramento Kings, shouted racist and anti-gay slurs to an Asian-American fan and to others seated beside him. The league eventually levied a $15,000 fine on Williams for cursing at fans.
Rocky Widner, NBA via Getty Images
In December 2006, NFL linebacker Joey Porter, while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was fined $10,000 by the league for a gay slur he made towards Browns' tight end Kellen Winslow after a game.
Al Bello, Getty Images
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 11)
1. Aw c'mon. Westbrook is hitting a sweet omoplata in that story and all you can talk about is the gay rumors? Priorities, man! Priorities!
Posted at 12:53PM on Apr 16th 2008 by Tizoc
2. "It's sad that Westbrook cares so much what that tiny minority thinks."
True, but it's far more sad that a grown man flies into a violent rage when some one teases him about being gay. I mean, I wouldn't like being called something I'm not, but I wouldn't beat a teammate to a pulp over it.
Especially if I was as gay as Michael Westbrook!
/joking
Posted at 1:11PM on Apr 16th 2008 by August West
3. Pathetic - the gay men of America think he is a crybaby. A real man does not have a problem being gay or considered gay.
Posted at 3:49PM on Apr 16th 2008 by rjp3
4. Read what real GAY MEN say about this guy....
http://www.towleroad.com/2008/04/former-nfl-play.html
there are so many up and coming gay jocks that this
guy sounds like a crybaby -- man up buddy
Posted at 3:54PM on Apr 16th 2008 by RJP3
5. Comments from towleroad.com
Why would anybody ever admit this? Blaming his mediocre career on not being able to handle name calling. Stephen Davis was right, he is soft. He needs to Man up and get on with his life. He is pathetic.
Posted by: Jonathan | Apr 16, 2008 1:06:09 PM
... or you could do a George Clooney and joke about it and go on with life.
Posted by: SJ | Apr 16, 2008 1:06:22 PM
Gee, what about all the men and women who are really gay and have their careers ruined because they are trying to life an authentic life? What a crybaby!
Posted by: Jack | Apr 16, 2008 1:13:09 PM
The more this jerk talks the more of an offensive idiot he shows himself to be.
Do everybody a favor and just shut up already!
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 16, 2008 1:38:33 PM
not that it makes him gay but he certainly was no good at football. CD from DC
Posted by: cd | Apr 16, 2008 2:01:57 PM
Yes, because the worst thing that could ever happen to you ever is to be called "gay". Oh, the horror! It's amazing he can leave his apartment even now.
Gah.
Posted by: David D. | Apr 16, 2008 2:03:05 PM
Who?
Posted by: anon | Apr 16, 2008 2:08:53 PM
His story makes no sense. Why is he news?
Posted by: Ben | Apr 16, 2008 2:18:50 PM
Too bad that he did not act on his impulse to "[L]ock [him]self in the house and never come out." Football fans, gays, and straights would have all been better off.
Posted by: rudy | Apr 16, 2008 3:00:42 PM
Ah the good old "gay as in soft" How very high school of them. Sexy as hell though!
Posted by: Shabaka | Apr 16, 2008 3:26:09 PM
Posted at 3:57PM on Apr 16th 2008 by RJP3
6. Paris Hilton NAKED again:
http://celebritiesvidz.com/videos.php?v=Paris_Hilton
Posted at 8:03PM on Apr 16th 2008 by Alex
7. What a Homo. GO GIANTS!!!
Posted at 8:11PM on Apr 16th 2008 by Eric
8. He joined the team as a tight end, and now he is a wide reciever.
Posted at 8:14PM on Apr 16th 2008 by Liberace
9. Me thinks he doth protest too much. Anyone that homophobic is too tight in the closet!!!
Posted at 8:28PM on Apr 16th 2008 by jaytampa
10. I hope he's not a dick smoker; we don't need the ugly, crybaby types on our team, thanks!
Posted at 8:38PM on Apr 16th 2008 by SparkyDnls
11. Westbrook could have been great.
Posted at 8:39PM on Apr 16th 2008 by manny
12. I am thankful he isn't a homosexual. Why call them gay? Call a spade a spade people.
Posted at 8:41PM on Apr 16th 2008 by timdouglas
13. Who cares if he is gay. He needs to get over it. He's only proving his insecurity by continuing to comment on the situation.
Posted at 8:45PM on Apr 16th 2008 by MissMe
14. NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT!!!!
Posted at 8:54PM on Apr 16th 2008 by ELAINE MARSHALL
15. IF HE'S A HOMO, HE'S DEFINITELY NOT A TIGHT END.
Posted at 8:55PM on Apr 16th 2008 by billy bob
16. They can say what they feel,whats wrong with that?
Posted at 9:11PM on Apr 16th 2008 by Brenda
17. he is gay he plays for the redskins
much love jerry jones
Posted at 9:14PM on Apr 16th 2008 by DAN
18. He's too ugly to be gay.
Posted at 9:14PM on Apr 16th 2008 by Rod
19. Really? This is exactly why so few pro figures are still in the closet tappin their toes in bathrooms all over the world. Swing the door open and be who you really are. Maybe more gay guys would be into sports.
Posted at 9:34PM on Apr 16th 2008 by indyguy4guy
20. There are worse things in life than being gay...get over yourself, Mr. Westbrook...it's not a big deal, and your sexual orientation, along with anyone else's, is a personal matter that none of us should judge.
Posted at 9:46PM on Apr 16th 2008 by scholarlymama