I’ve posted before about professional athletes hurling anti-gay slurs in a piece about Kobe Bryant, here. But this article about Roger McDowell is rich. It’s the good ‘ole boys at their finest. It seems Mr. McDowell allegedly used anti-gay slurs against San Francisco Giants fans and he’s been going to “sensitivity training.” And now he’s apologizing.

I think he’s apologizing to the lgbt community, but I’m not certain. According to the quotes below, he apologized to the fans he insulted, not the entire lgbt community.

WTF? He’s going to sensitivity training? No one sent Helen Thomas to sensitivity training. No one sent Imus to sensitivity training after what he said. In fact, if a public figure were to fling a slur at any other minority in this country they’d lose their jobs and there would be zero tolerance. But when someone…and it could be anyone…trashes gays he/she gets off with a pat on the wrist and they go to sensitivity training. And the lgbt community is supposed to accept the apology as if nothing ever happened?

I’m posting the article below, along with a link. And frankly I couldn’t care less whether Roger McDowell apologizes, goes to sensitivity training, or joins the priesthood searching for absolution for what he allegedly said. How he feels and what he thinks is totally insignificant to me. What I’d like to see is a change in the double standards, especially when it comes to public figures. I would be willing to bet that if Mr. McDowell had made these alleged slurs against any other minority, it wouldn’t have turned out like this. Just take a look at what happened to Mel Gibson.

I’ll be the first to admit that we’ve become a little too PC these days. I’m afraid to wish someone a Merry Christmas for fear of offending them. But outright slurs against any minority should not go unpunished. There should be zero tolerance and the people who do it should be put on display as an example. Because when I hear an apology like the one Mr. McDowell made for his alleged slurs, it’s nothing more than blah, blah, blah. Roger McDowell goes back to collecting a huge paycheck and it means nothing at all. And it’s yet another kick in the face to the entire lgbt community, to families of the lgbt community, and to the friends of the lgbt community.

Instead of apologizing, Mr. McDowell should show how sensitivity training has changed him instead of telling us about it with a half-assed public apology. Start supporting the lgbt community in one small way, Mr. McDowell. Show that you’re sorry. Don’t just blow smoke up our asses and expect us to sit back and take it with a smile. And frankly, I’d like to know a few more details about this so-called sensitivity training McDowell went to. Once again, we’re given vague details by a failing mainstream media and we’re supposed to believe it.

Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell apologies for anti-gay remarks.

Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell addressed a small group of reporters today at Turner Field on his first day back to the club after a two-week suspension handed down by Major League Baseball after McDowell allegedly using anti-gay slurs against San Francisco Giants fans last month.

McDowell was also accused of threatening Justin Quinn, a father of twin daughters, who asked him to watch his language in front of children at the April 23 game at San Francisco AT&T Park. Quinn made the allegations against McDowell in a press conference with high-profile attorney Gloria Allred.

McDowell did not use the word “gay” at any time during the press conference nor did he admit or deny the allegations. He did, however, apologize again for his actions and said that kind of behavior would not happen again.

“Needless to say I’m glad back to be with the Braves and I would like to thank the organization for the support over the last couple weeks,” McDowell read from a prepared statement before taking questions.

“These past two weeks … have been very humbling, emotional and a reflective time for me and my family to better understand about what has happened,” McDowell said, appearing to be tearful and pausing while he read.

“I have and will continue to learn from this and am committed to being a productive member of the Atlanta Braves organization and this coaching staff,” he added.

“In addition I would like to apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions. I am not proud of the way I acted and know that will not happen again,” he said. “I understand the responsibility that we all have in this game.”

When asked what he would like to say to gay Braves fans, McDowell said, “Well, I would like to apologize — if anyone was offended by my actions that occurred in San Francisco. My intent was not to hurt anyone or hurt anyone’s feelings. I apologize for that.”

McDowell also acknowledged he has undergone sensitivity training and that it is an ongoing process. He declined to say what specifics were being discussed as part of the training, saying the issues were “private.”

McDowell said he spoke on the telephone with Quinn sometime during the past two weeks to personally apologize. He also said that conversation was private.

When asked if McDowell felt his side of the story was fairly represented, he said there was no reason to rehash what may or may not have been said because it would not be productive.

Braves President John Schuerholz appeared at the press conference with McDowell, saying he was glad to have the coach back