Former Arizona Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes is currently a free agent. He’s only 31 years old and was once considered an above-average defensive back, so the fact that he has been unable to find work has left some people surprised. Over the summer, Rhodes’ alleged ex-boyfriend spread rumors that Kerry is gay. The rumors were fueled by photos of Rhodes laying on a bed with the young man and riding horses with him.
Now, many have speculated that no NFL team is interested in Rhodes because of the rumors about his sexual preference. During a discussion with CBS Charlotte’s Taylor Zarzour and Marc James on Tuesday, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was asked if he had spoken to Kerry at all or if has any idea why he has not been signed. He seemed adamant about dissociating himself with Rhodes.
“I don’t know Kerry,” Smith said emphatically. “We don’t go in the same circles. We ain’t in the same circles. We ain’t in the same circles. I’ll let that be.”
For more context, Deadspin shared the audio with us:
We don’t want to jump to conclusions, but it was obvious Smith wants nothing to do with Rhodes. He has his own reasons for that, I’m sure. Zarzour and James sounded like they were looking for more of a football answer from Smith when they asked why he thinks Rhodes is currently unemployed. He could have just said “the NFL is such a competitive league” and left it at that.
