One of the top election-year social wedge issues has worked its way into the NFL, with Ravens teammates Brendon Ayanbadejo and Matt Birk publicly taking opposite stances on the issue of gay marriage.
Ayanbadejo supports it. Birk recently wrote an op-ed item in the Minneapolis Star Tribune opposing it.
Via the Baltimore Sun, Ayanbadejo said Monday night on Twitter that he understands Birk’s position. “I don’t think he’s homophobic,” Ayanbadejo wrote in response to a fan who accused Birk of being anti-gay. “Matt Birk is an amazing father, teammate, man! Even if he & I disagree on marriage equality we agree on 95% of other issues.”
Ayanbadejo elaborated to (who else?) TMZ. “On the field, we’re on the same accord,” Ayanbadejo said. “When we come to work, we’re on the same page. One goal and that’s to win a championship.”
Ayanbadejo added that he hopes to have a more detailed discussion with Birk on the topic at some point in the future. “Of course I disagree with his stance, but I’m not gonna tell someone how to raise their kids,” Ayanbadejo said. “He wants the world to be a better place for his kids. . . . I think just from where we’re heading, his kids will grow up to have a different opinion from him. I’ll just leave it at that.”
Given the reaction to Monday’s item regarding Birk’s comments, we’ve got a feeling that plenty of you won’t leave it at that. Chime in below.