TSN's Dave Hodge sounds off on all the hockey issues of the day in a segment this season called Hodgemail. Write in to answer Dave's weekly question and watch the NHL on TSN to see if he reads your response.
Earlier this week, Brendan Burke, the son of Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke, revealed in an ESPN.com article that he is gay. This wasn't news to the Burke family or the hockey team at Miami (Ohio) University, which employs Brendan on its staff, but it was news to the rest of the hockey world.
"I think it's important that my story is told to people because there are a lot of gay athletes out there and gay people working in pro sports that deserve to know that there are safe environments where people are supportive regardless of your sexual orientation," Brendan told TSN.
Brian Burke has been fully supportive of his son, but he worries about the burden Brendan will be shouldering since he decided to go public.
"You wish that someone else would carry that burden first and then he can grab and help," Burke told TSN. "But this is what he wanted to do and we support him."
Here was Dave's question to you: "What is your reaction to the story of Brendan Burke and his father Brian?"
And here are the answers that Dave liked best:
When did the NHL on TSN become Dr. Phil? I watch for hockey analysis, not for an insignificant discussion on the sexual orientation of an NHL executive's son. What will you ask next week—our views on abortion? - Patrick, Montreal
This is something that needs continued attention. I, too, quit high school sports because I was uncomfortable around other players and the coaches. It is sad that gays cannot reach their potential due to sport's toxic environment. - Paul, Hamilton
Acceptance cannot be limited to family. It is sad that gays in major pro sports have to hide for fear of retribution. - Wade, Englehart, ON
Ask the athletes how they feel about sharing a locker room with a homosexual. To me, homosexuality is wrong. - Roger, Minden, ON
This is wonderful - let the conversation begin. Hats off to Brendan, Brian and Miami (Ohio) University. - Michael, Vancouver
I think it is great that someone like Brendan has spoken out and will be a leader for all. I am not gay, but believe they have the same right to play or manage sports. Everyone should be able to showcase their talents. - Shane, Windsor, ON
What a story, what courage, and what a brilliant job by TSN to take the lead in the sports community in Canada to let this story be told. This seemingly taboo issue in sports sometimes has long been ignored, but because of you, the door is wide open! I am a sports fanatic, in fact, when I came out in University; I did so in the University of Saskatchewan Newspaper, The Sheaf, when I was the Sports Editor. My weekly sports column, Let's be Honest... quickly became an opinion piece on me being a gay man who cover sports, love sports, and thinks nothing should change because of that. I have attached the article. I'm now covering the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they prepare for a Grey Cup Championship this coming Sunday, and continue to live my life unaffected by the reality of being gay and covering sports. Quite simply, thank you. - Devin
I think it is an example of a positive father son relationship, which is certainly lacking in today's society. But why is this on TSN? I don't care whether or not someone is gay or straight, has nothing to do with how they play hockey and now I'm forced to hear about watching the Leafs. - Brendan from Winnipeg
First off this is not a story that should have been given this much press but it does prove what kind of a person Burke is and it is shown in his son. Stand up for who you are and be ready to stick up for your family and teammates when they need you most. - Brian Anderson, Dalmeny, SK
And Dave's Reply To All:
"When I read the first line of this story, in which Brian Burke hoped for the day it wouldn't be a story, I thought we might have arrived at that day, and I questioned the worth of what I was to continue to read. Then I realized we're not at that day yet. And maybe there will never be a day when a poignant story of this sort should go untold, as many would wish, apparently. The real hope is that the day will come when a similar story is told with one important difference. The next time, it is to be hoped that the young person whose life is enriched by a spot on the high-school team will not feel forced to withdraw because of dressing-room attitudes he or she can't tolerate. Yes, Brian and Brendan will inspire other fathers and sons. But the real message here is for future teammates of a boy like Brendan. "He's just like you--he wears a number--he doesn't and shouldn't have a label." The next time, no player should leave the team unless it's a player who can't accept....... A player like Brendan Burke."