CBS Sports anchor Tim Brando does not think NBA basketball player Jason Collins should be called a “hero” for coming out on Monday and becoming the first openly gay male athlete in major professional team sports.
In a series of tweets on Monday, Brando said he was glad Collins was happy, but he did not really care about Collins’s sexuality. Brando tweeted, “The HERO worship is out of bounds.”
He said he called Jason’s games in college when Collins played for Stanford and was happy when he got drafted.
“He is good guy. Good for him,” Brando wrote. “Hero? No sorry.”
Brando also said the use of the word “hero” matters.
“The dictionary matters to me and ‘HERO’ can’t be used loosely,” Brando said “That’s my only point.”
Brando got a lot of vitriol on Twitter. And in response to one critic on Twitter, Brando said, “bravery doesen’t automatically translate to heroism.I’m sorry there’s a difference.My Godpeople wake up!Enough it’s a choice”
Brando was not referring to whether Collins chose to be gay. Collins said he did not choose to be gay, and Brando made clear in many responses and tweets he was referring to Collins’s choice to make the announcement on Monday.
On the topic of Jason Collins I really don’t care and frankly why should anyone else.The HERO worship is out of bounds.I’m glad he is happy.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 29, 2013
I called Jason and his brothers games in the NCAA’s and was happy for him upon being drafted. He is good guy. Good for him. Hero? No sorry.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 29, 2013
Calling it a night folks. The Dictionary matters to me and “HERO”can’t be used loosely. That’s my only point. Twitter took over afterwards.
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 29, 2013
.@amandabusick bravery doesen’t automatically translate to heroism.I’m sorry there’s a difference.My Godpeople wake up!Enough it’s a choice
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 29, 2013
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