Will NFL’s Peterson Apologize For Gay Marriage Remarks?

Adrian Peterson, never one to shy away from telling us what he thinks, apparently doesn’t think much of gay marriage. In a recent interview, Peterson, the National Football League’s current Most Valuable Player, was asked about gay marriage, a hot-button topic in Minnesota. On August 1, the state that the Vikings call home, will legalize so-called gay marriage, joining 11 other states (plus the District of Columbia) where same-sex unions are now legal.

As of now, it also remains legal for people, including Adrian Peterson, to voice their opposition to same-sex marriage. And, that’s exactly what he did. According to Peterson:

 I have relatives who are gay,” Peterson said on Sirius/XM NFL radio, via NESN. “I’m not biased towards them. I still treat them the same. I love ’em. But again, I’m not with that. That’s not something I believe in. But to each his own.” (article here)

“To each his own.” Wow! What a novel concept when it comes to the gay marriage debate. Of course, if everyone was allowed to hold divergent opinions when it comes to whether marriage should be redefined to include same-sex couples, then I would not be taking the time to write about Adrian Peterson’s view on the matter. In fact, the Sirius/XM NFL radio interview, where the NFL’s 2012 leading rusher made his “controversial” remarks, would not have been noticed. But, it was noticed — by CBS, NBC, the AP, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, and The Huffington Post — because Peterson’s view, which is widely held by many (most, if you took a secret ballot?) Americans, is one that the radical gay rights’ lobby and their supporters are trying to suppress.

Whether through the liberal media and the cultural elites in New York, Hollywood and Washington, D.C. or, through boycotts, threats, and intimidation aimed at anyone — including other gay Americans like Bret Easton Ellis — who dares to question any  aspect of the gay rights’ agenda, the homosexual lobby in this country has done a masterful job of changing the culture. While I think these changes are detrimental and ultimately destructive to individuals, families, and our nation as a whole, there can be no denying the power that homosexual activists now wield in every area of life here in America.

In the next year, we will see just how much power the gay rights’ lobby has when we witness the changes that will inevitably take place in the sports’ world. The “coming out” of the NBA’s Jason Collins, which produced some pushback from Chris Broussard and others, will pale in comparison to the circus that will surround the first active NFL player who publicly declares his homosexuality. Will the cultural elites who run the nation’s most popular sport move to quash any dissent on gay rights’ issues? Will only those like Peterson’s former teammate, Chris Kluwe, who supports same-sex marriage, be able to opine on the subject, or will players who agree with Peterson’s view be able to respectfully share their beliefs without fear of reprisal from the NFL’s front office?

Adrian Peterson, who probably represents the view of the majority of NFL players, gave an honest and respectful opinion on the subject of gay marriage. That opinion, which is at odds with the cultural elites in this country (and most likely the NFL), is still protected by the First Amendment, as is the opinion of Chris Kluwe and those who support the legalization of gay marriage:

When Peterson says in a radio interview that he’s “not with” same-sex marriage, he exercises his right to say whatever he wants.  And those who choose to disagree with Peterson are exercising the same rights.  Meanwhile, those who are fighting for and against the legalization of same-sex marriage are exercise their rights to participate in the political process.” (Mike Florio, “Adrian Peterson not a believer in same-sex marriage”)

Will respectful disagreement be allowed on the issue of gay marriage, even after it has been legalized in a particular state or in the nation as a whole? If, in the next few days, Adrian Peterson apologizes for his “anti-gay” marriage remarks, I think we will have a pretty clear answer to that question. But, it may not be the answer that our culture needs. But, hey, that’s just my opinion. To each his own. At least for now!