David Tyree is back with the New York Giants as the newly appointed Director of Player Development. This is not a new thing for the Giants organization to do, as the Giants often extend employment to their former players after the cleats are put away for good. Tyree, of course, is best known for his miraculous helmet catch in Super Bowl XLII. It was ultimately the final catch he’d make in his career as he was cut from the Ravens the next summer.
In New York, he’ll never have to pay for another meal for the rest of his life. But one moment spoken aloud could potentially make his hiring a story a much bigger story for vastly different reasons.
Soon after the announcement of Tyree’s new job, The Human Rights campaign took the Giants to task over David Tyree’s comments that he would trade the accolades he had been receiving to put a stop to gay marriage. The Giants, no doubt fearing the bad press that they assuredly knew would rain down upon them, tried to put the toothpaste back in the tube by effectively saying Tyree was on his own. Co-owner Steve Tisch and Hall of Famer-to-be Michael Strahan tried to smooth the storms by voicing their support of same-sex marriage.
The HRC wasted no time in voicing their condemnation of Tyree’s hiring, alleging that the Giants are “risking their (organizational) credibility” with the hiring; clearly showing that the statute of limitations for words spoken almost never truly passes.
And isn’t it curious how Tony Dungy, long considered as the NFL’s paragon of class, grace and honor, finds himself embroiled in a Michael Sam controversy of his own? Bet you never ever thought he’d find himself in the middle of something like this. He has since clarified his comments, but the damage may have already been done.
Gay rights issues require diligence in how it is handled, reported, and ultimately accepted within the workplace. As Tyree, Dungy and even media members like ESPN’s Chris Broussard have learned, the old faith-based determination of what the gay life “used to be” doesn’t hold water anymore and that narrative has flipped completely. This won’t fly in a public forum anymore. It’s a sign of the times.
Those who are involved in the NFL had better learn quick with that they had better keep it to themselves if they still hold the antiquated points of view on the subject, lest it becomes a permanent stain on their otherwise sterling reputations.
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