Photo of Brendon Ayanbadejo with his family The NFL Players Association is getting involved in the battle for equality. The NFLPA will announce on Wednesday that it is launching a T-shirt line, called One Team Pride Shirts. The announcement coincides with June being LGBT pride month. “June is a special month for the LGBT community,” Super Bowl champion Brendon Ayanbadejo said. I am extremely excited that the NFLPA Is adding its name to the list of ever growing allies. The simple fact that football players believe in equality for every human being Is going to make an impact on a lot of peoples lives. “Football is the most popular sport in America bar none.To see professional football and professional football players support the equality movement is a game-changing moment.” All net proceeds from sales will be donated to ATHLETE ALLY, a foundation that fights homophobia in sports. “Athlete Ally is a proud partner in this effort as the NFLPA makes clear to all of its players that the union supports and welcomes them, regardless of sexual orientation, and to all LGBT fans that they are respected." said Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally. The line will also feature some of the players who have been actively involved in the battle for equality. When purchasing a One Team Pride shirt the buyer will have the option of adding one player’s jersey number to it. Those included are: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Connor Barwin, Scott Fujita, Steve Gleason, Chris Gocong, Chris Kluwe, Donte' Stallworth, Terrell Suggs and Eric Winston. The shirts will be available for purchase immediately at the One Team Shop website (http://oneteamshop.com). All of the players support LGBT equally. “I am extremely proud to be a part of this collaboration between Athlete Ally and the NFLPA’s One Team Shop to raise awareness both of Pride month and the issue of tolerance and respect within the NFL itself,” said Chris Kluwe, punter for the Oakland Raiders. “As players, we are role models to a wide variety of people, and this is a great way to send a message of empathy to those who love and watch the game. Also, I'm pretty stoked that people can buy something with my number on it.” Shirts are available starting today on www.OneTeamShop.com, the NFLPA’s official online store, to raise awareness for equality. To see more of Ayanbadejo, go to his website at www.BrendonAyanbadejo.net Questions? Comments? Send them to lacesoutmail@gmail.com and we might respond in our weekly mailbag!
