Keith Olbermann Sets Gay Jason Collins STRAIGHT!

ESPN's Keith Olbermann sets Gay Jason Collins STRAIGHT on "Who was first Active gay team major sports player! Keith pays tribute to the first openly gay player in one of the four major sports. And it's not Jason Collins. Keith talked Glenn Burke, the LA Dodger who was the first openly gay athlete in major sports over 30 years before Jason Collins. It's personal, rational and ends with a shocking twist.
"If I can make friends honestly, it may be a step toward gays and straight people understanding each other. Maybe they'll say, 'He's all right, there's got to be a few more all right.' Maybe it will begin to make it easier for other young gays to go into sports." Glenn Burke
Those are the words of Major League Baseball's first openly gay player. While the national media covers Jason Collins' first minutes on the court as an openly gay professional basketball player and the NFL network constantly breaks down rookie Michael Sam's combine stats, we forget about the ORIGINAL sports pioneer.

[@djwilson1993]

“Well… it’s nice to be remembered.” Gut punch.

[@mikex3578]

Glenn Burke created the high five!

[@NELSONSANDY2003]

Glenn was one of the best athletes to come out my high school, Berkeley high school, Berkeley California. Although he was many years ahead of me, his legend preceded him. He was also a great basketball player who could jump over a buildings and hang in the air all day. It was sad that he was born in a intolerant time and lost his career because he wouldn't hide who he was. Not a lot has changed. although being gay is more acceptable, it can still cost you a career if you come out of the closet. Glenn was first openly gay athlete in the four major sports, but is not even a footnote in the gay struggle for equality.

[@grantjm05]

Great Lakes that’s absolute bs, and you’re intentionally missing the point. smh.

[@alonenjersey]

The whole Dodger organization (along w/ Tommy LaSorda)) knew about Glenn Burke.

[@tombeatty4792]

For sure they did. Burke was "hanging out" with Lasorda's son.

[@alonenjersey]

@@tombeatty4792 Correct. In the book "Out At Home", Burke tells how Tommy was in complete denial about his sons' homosexuality AND his sons' death to to AIDS. R.I.P. Sparky.

[@localfox1000]

Im not always a fan of Olbermann but this was a very poignant piece

[@brettshepherd5240]

Why are people so afraid of gay athletes?

[@gregtufaro8166]

no one is, Keith Olbermann just wants to make some sort of big deal about it when nobody cares

[@sdwriter2626]

@@gregtufaro8166 Wrong!

[@gregtufaro8166]

@@sdwriter2626 tell me then WHO is afraid of gay athletes. Name names, show proof

[@michaelm2998]

@@gregtufaro8166 the entire Republican Party…in 2004 George W Bush won re-election and a big campaign promise was making a constitutional amendment that banned gay marriage and made gay people 2nd class citizens

[@gregtufaro8166]

@@michaelm2998 apparently you don’t know what a marriage is.

[@mgb4692]

And the trade would haunt the Dodgers so much they won two World Series over the next decade.

[@danillogoncalves6082]

MGB and never won any other ever again

[@Brian-nt1hh]

Thx Keith

[@toddhale5387]

Rumor was he dated Lasordas son.

[@rogertayloRRR]

Lol