KAEO: Derrick Gordon

[NilesGold]

I'm 100% sure that SHU has demanded that both Willard and DG not speak publicly about DG's sexuality but that's not the same as shoving him back in the closet.

Isn't it though?

[UMass87]

NilesGold - I don't think so. Being in the closet means you are not publicly known to be gay. I agree that it is unfortunate for him that he is prevented from advocacy but it's not closeting him. Catholic universities are going to have an increasingly tough struggle with this issue as the current high school generation is far more open-minded about sexuality than past generations. Eventually they will look more and more like fundamentalist Christian universities where they really cater only to like-minded students.

[NilesGold]

^ Maybe more like don't-ask-don't tell? It's certainly at least a tad bit depressing of a read. I hope Gordon is happy, or at least can find/re-discover it sooner rather than later.

[UMass87]

Ya...it's exactly like don't-ask-don't-tell and just as stupid. The whole story is very sad. In some ways I feel worse for Willard who, given Rev. Hall's experience, would almost certainly be fired if DG continued to talk about it. Willard taking DG was, IMO, a pretty cool move.

[Chris20]

I think it simply some tough realities starting to hit DG. He seems to be a good kid with some good people in his corner. He'll come out of this fine. He'll be making money playing ball overseas within a couple years.

[NilesGold]

^ I'm not so sure of his chances of playing overseas. Instead of keeping quiet about everything this year he'd be better served to be himself and not try to censor himself. After college he can publish a book and/or go on the public speaking circuit.

[capezona]

^ I'm not so sure of his chances of playing overseas. Instead of keeping quiet about everything this year he'd be better served to be himself and not try to censor himself. After college he can publish a book and/or go on the public speaking circuit.

I agree. This year could provide him with experiences that might be great book material. He should keep scrupulous notes of everything he goes through.

[Chris20]

He's good enough to play somewhere. Good defender, good rebounder for his size, and excellent first step.

[fenway617]

I'm 100% sure that SHU has demanded that both Willard and DG not speak publicly about DG's sexuality but that's not the same as shoving him back in the closet.

Isn't it though?

I read the whole article and quite frankly if you started to read it how could you stop. It was a riveting with highs and lows. I completely agree with the statement above about SH putting the gag order in om talking about his sexuality.

I am sure there is a part of Gordon that wishes he just stayed at Umass. He could say, post, and be himself at Umass. And on the court he was a starter.

[capezona]

^ Agree 100%

[MikeEsq]

did you guys actually read all the way through the story? it's quite extraordinary and somewhat painful to read. it goes way beyond some kid with suspect NBA aspirations. I have some genuine concerns for him as a person right now.

It's only (and predictably) Eldon, and he probably didn't even click the link or read one word of the story.

But I'm with you, it doesn't seem like Derrick is in a good place mentally right now. That article was incredibly written, provided wonderful detail of the exuberant DG during the TGI Fridays conversation, and then a sad look at the stark change in demeanor and actions. His Mother has to be worried about him as well, why else would she go out of her way to get him on the phone to talk to a journalist who was trying to tell his story? I'm of the belief that Seton Hall is pushing him to lock it down, which is just so incredibly sad. For DGs sake, I wish he had never left the comfort of UMass.

My thoughts entirely. Thanks Calmass. Let me also give those others who have already commented on the excellence of the story, the concern about DG, and Seton Hall's possible role in all this a +1. And I'll add one more thought: everything I've ever heard about Williard has been terrible. He's a real jerk to the media in general. Generally speaking, nobody of a Big East caliber would play there if they had any other choice. Williard was shrewd in thinking DG could help him lockdown players on D. But taking someone like DG and bringing him into the Big East just tells you how utterly desperate Williard is to not get fired after this year.

[Rudy]

A delusional kid who quit on his coach, quit on his teammates, quit on his school, quit on his fans, quit on about as much as one can imagine. But he has everyone supports him because he's gay. If DG wasn't gay, no one would care.

He was a bad teammate. He was an idiot. He is an idiot. Want to treat gays the same, then treat them the same. He betrayed you.

My biggest takeaway from the whole DG era is the poor bastards who had to play with this douchebag. Much more respect for Chaz and certainly Trey. God, poor Trey had to deal with this for years. I predict a breakout year for Trey now that this asshole and his black cloud is gone.

[Swampy]

^ You're as good as your record says you are.

[NilesGold]

Rudy, I find your thoughts on this matter disgraceful. If you're unwilling to see reason your opinions should go back in the closet.

[Rudy]

Show me the constant updates and fawning over Javorn Farrell or Demetrious Dyson. You cant. No one cares about players for other teams on a UMass board.

Also, there is a difference between a kid leaving a program because for mutually agreeable reasons and a kid just quitting. Some kids will never see the court. Some kids cant cut it academically. And some want to chase their NBA dreams and then blame every team in the NCAA for being homophobic because nobody wanted him.

The great irony is that DG also quit on the gay rights movement. Its clear that DG thinks he was railroaded from big programs for being gay and its clear that he thinks it will hurt him going to the NBA. So he quit being a gay right role model for other gay athletes because of his delusions of grandeur. Just like he quit on UMass, his teammates and DK.

So many people looking for a reason to scapegoat the Catholic school for his silence. But there is no evidence of that at all. So if you want to find evidence of bigotry and intolerance. Look there.

I find it laugh out loud funny that in the same article that the only coach that wanted him acknowledges that he cant shoot, Gordon is talking about how he is going to kiss his boyfriend in front of the cameras on draft night.

By the way, he is 23 years old. Stop treating him like a naïve high school kid.