Former Green Bay Packers safety Leroy Butler was one of many current and former athletes who complimented Jason Collins earlier this week after Collins made the decision to come out as gay. Unlike many others, Butler saw consequences for his support for Collins.
Butler is known for doing a lot of great work for charity and working with several churches in the Wisconsin area. He retired from the Packers in 2001 but has remained very active in the community. Butler’s message for Collins following his announcement on Monday was simple.
Congrats to Jason Collins
— leroy butler (@leap36) April 29, 2013
Apparently a simple congratulations was enough to irritate a local church in Wisconsin to the point where they canceled an appearance they had scheduled with him. He explained the situation in a series of tweets early Wednesday morning.
Wow, I was schedule to speak at a church in WI, and a member said that the pastor wants to cancel my event, I said ok why?
— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013
Then I was told, because I said congrats to Jason Collins on twitter, I said really? we have a contract, he said check the moral cause,
— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013
FYI the fee was 8500$,then I was told if i removed the tweet, and apologize and ask god forgiveness, I can have the event, I said no,
— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013
Only god can judge,
— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013
We understand that certain religions and beliefs do not condone homosexuality. Everyone should be entitled to their own opinion as long as they express it respectfully. When we have people making mindless insensitive comments about Collins’ courageous act, people like Butler become even more important. All Butler said was “congrats.” It’s hard to imagine the church could not cast their beliefs aside for something that small.
UDPDATE: Butler says the church gave him an explanation and an apology, but not really.
I found out what happened, I guess some parents went to the church and complained about my tweet for support of Jason Collins, so sad
— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013
I have received an apology from the church, but mainly thanking me for not releasing the church name, too me that’s not important,
— leroy butler (@leap36) May 1, 2013
H/T Shutdown Corner
