Kirk Cousins, the current starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, previously expressed his openness to having an openly gay teammate while he was a backup quarterback for Washington. However, his comments included some controversial views that could be perceived as anti-gay. At the time, he stated that he would try to guide any gay teammate towards Christianity, adding, “nobody’s perfect.”
Cousins highlighted the importance of performance on the field, saying, “From a football standpoint, if the guy can help us win, come help us win.” He acknowledged that while many of his teammates might not share a homosexual lifestyle, they all have their own imperfections. He extended a welcome to an openly gay teammate, hoping to show him love and guide him in following Jesus.
His remarks were made during a speaking engagement at a high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and echoed sentiments he shared in 2013 after NBA player Jason Collins came out.
Despite his seemingly supportive intentions, critics have pointed out that Cousins’ belief equating homosexuality with sin may come across as condescending and disrespectful. In recent years, he has also faced scrutiny for his association with organizations perceived as anti-LGBTQ, such as Focus on the Family.