Chris Broussard clarifies his ESPN remarks about Jason Collins

ESPN NBA analyst Chris Broussard caused a lot of controversy Monday when he said the following about NBA center Jason Collins, who had announced he was gay earlier in the day: “I’m a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is.... If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be ... that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ.�

Late Monday night, Broussard, who made the comments during ESPN’s “Outside the Lines� show, released a statement clarifying his remarks.

“Today on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today’s news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA.�

ESPN also released a statement late Monday:

“We regret that a respectful discussion of personal viewpoints became a distraction from today’s news. ESPN is fully committed to diversity and welcomes Jason Collins’ announcement.�

You can hear all of Broussard’s remarks on “Outside the Lines� in the video above.

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