From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Former NBA player John Amaechi created a national stir last week when he said that he’s gay. Although [Dallas Mavericks owner Mark] Cuban acknowledged it won’t be easy for someone playing in the NBA to come out, the owner says he believes it could lead to change.
“When you do something that the whole world thinks is difficult and you stand up and just be who you are and take on that difficulty factor, you’re an American hero no matter what,” Cuban said. “That’s what the American spirit’s all about, going against the grain and standing up for who you are, even if it’s not a popular position.”
Cuban invoked the name of Jackie Robinson, who broke major league baseball’s color barrier, when discussing the possibility of an active player coming out.
“It’s got to be somebody who’s strong-willed,” Cuban said. “He’ll put up with some grief. But at the same time, I don’t want to compare him to Jackie Robinson, but it’s the analogy in a lot of ways. He becomes a role model.”
