Kirk Cousins, the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, previously expressed that he would be open to having an openly gay teammate while he was a backup quarterback for Washington. He stated that if a player could contribute to the team’s success, they should be welcomed regardless of their sexual orientation. However, his comments included controversial statements that suggested a link between homosexuality and imperfection, which has drawn criticism.
Cousins had mentioned during a talk at a high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that while many teammates might not lead a homosexual lifestyle, they all have their imperfections. He referred to the idea of leading a gay teammate to Jesus, which some view as patronizing. He emphasized that no one is perfect and expressed a hope to show love and guidance based on his faith.
Despite his seemingly positive intentions, Cousins’ remarks have been perceived as offensive, particularly his association of homosexuality with sin. His comments echo sentiments he shared in 2013 following Jason Collins’ coming out as the first openly gay player in the NBA.
Now as the Falcons’ quarterback, Cousins’ past associations and statements continue to raise questions about his views on LGBTQ issues, especially following appearances with organizations known for their anti-LGBTQ stances.