NEW YORK – Athlete Ally, a leading organization working to raise awareness about and end homophobia in sports, has announced two more Athlete Ally Ambassadors in Rashad Evans and Donte Stallworth. Evans, an MMA fighter, and Stallworth, an NFL wide receiver join a group that now includes more than a dozen professional athletes.
The Athlete Ally Web site reports:
Stallworth is a world-class wide receiver and has played for several NFL teams. Recently, he was involved in a harrowing hot air balloon accident in which both he and his girlfriend were nearly killed. The event triggered a desire to do his part to make the world a better, safer place and that includes for LGBT individuals in sports. “I realize that every day is a gift and you need to do the most with the time that you have,” said Stallworth. “Joining my friend Brendon Ayanbadejo and the other NFL Ambassadors today is my way of helping make our game better. We need to build a support system in the NFL so that every player can be who they are, play their best, and live life to the fullest.”
Rashad Evans is one of the top light heavyweights in the world. Though not many of his peers speak out against homophobia in sports, Evans sees the work of Athlete Ally Ambassadors as a huge step forward, and wants to make an impact in the UFC. “What Brendon Ayanbadejo and other Athlete Allies are doing is incredible and it’s important for everyone to realize that homophobia isn’t just a problem in the NFL. It’s an issue in all sports,” he says. “We are making some positive strides in the UFC, but more work needs to be done. Our sport, especially, has a young audience and I want kids to know that they will grow up and live in a more tolerant and accepting culture.”
“Rashad Evans and Donte Stallworth are joining the Athlete Ally movement at a critical time and we are grateful to them for becoming active in the fight against homophobia in sports. In essence, they are being the change that they want see,” says Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally Hudson Taylor.
Taylor went on to laud the efforts of the Athlete Ally Advisory Board chairman Brendon Ayanbadejo, saying, “These athletes are joining Athlete Ally today directly because of the efforts of Brendon Ayanabadejo. As the chairman of our advisory board, Brendon is showing the leadership skills of a grassroots organizer and the heart of a true advocate. He and other Athlete Allies like Scott Fujita, Chris Kluwe, David Pocock, Kristi Toliver and our other ambassadors are committing time and energy to spreading this movement to their teammates and peers.”
