(August 6, 2015 at 4:58 pm)Simon Moon Wrote: Former Minnesota running back, Robert Smith, made no attempt to hide his atheism while he was a player, nor did Chris Kluwe, former Vikings and Raiders punter.
This is true. I'm sure that when the guy in the article was calling Foster the "first athlete to stand up for the secular american," he was being a little dramatic. But I think this is different, and more significant, than both of those. Kluwe's a very cool guy and a real activist in a lot of areas. However, he's very careful to make sure people know he's Agnostic-Not-Atheist. And, well, he's a punter. Punters just don't make the headlines very much. And Rob Smith was a good player; his career was winding down just as I was getting to know him. I don't know if his atheism made the headlines while he was a player; the earliest published reference I see is a 2006 article.
But Arian Foster, although injured for at least the start of this season and probably winding down in terms of usefulness to an NFL team, is still a star player who is extremely popular and carries national name recognition. And, while it's hella brave for an NFLer to announce their atheism in Minnesota, I think it's even more so for a guy who played his entire career in Houston.
So, it's good that you pointed out that Foster's not the first atheist NFLer, and I respect the hell out of those other guys. But this is good too.
How will we know, when the morning comes, we are still human? - 2D
Don't worry, my friend. If this be the end, then so shall it be.
Don't worry, my friend. If this be the end, then so shall it be.
