Andrew Luck Says Gay Teammate Wouldn’t Be A Problem

Andrew Luck says a gay teammate would be welcomed on the Colts, part of an ever-growing trend of acceptance in the NFL that many feel is leading up to a player coming out very soon.

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback said he wouldn’t have a problem with a gay teammate, offering support for any player thinking of coming out. The NFL has yet to have an openly gay player during their career, though reports have said one or a handful of players are seriously considering coming out soon.

Andrew Luck’s support of a gay teammate seems to lend more support to the idea.

“I hope if someone’s thinking about [coming out], that if they do come out as gay and it makes them happy and it makes their life easier, then I think they should do it,” Luck told CNN via theindychannel.com. “My first reaction is really good for him.”

Luck added, “It’s the 21st century, and I know I would have absolutely no problem with it. I hope no one would treat him any differently than any straight player, no special treatment — he’s just another guy.”

In recent weeks other prominent American sports have seen players come out. In April NBA center Jason Collins announced he is gay, making him the first player in a major American sport to do so during his career.

In the MLS, openly gay player Robbie Rogers recently ended his retirement to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

There could still be some resistance in the NFL — MVP Adrian Peterson said he would not support gay marriage, though he didn’t he said he is accepting of homosexuals and has some gay relatives. But overall, the league appears to be trending toward acceptance.

NFL officials recently met with LGBT advocacy groups in an effort to craft more inclusive policies and presumably lay out a strategy for the first openly gay players. And several players have become outspoken supports of LGBT causes, including now-free agent punter Chris Kluwe.

Andrew Luck could have a gay teammate sooner rather than later. A handful of free agent hopefuls, including undrafted kicker Alan Gendreau, have already come out before entering the league.