Jason Collins on cover of Spors Illustrated

Jason Collins, "the first openly gay athlete in a major American team sport" is on the cover of the latest Sports Illustrated. Reactions so far have generally been quite positive, with even President Barack Obama calling Collins to offer his support.

Celebrity Friday: Brendon Ayanbadejo, (Smoking Hot) Straight Ally

Brendon Ayanbadejo is an awesome straight ally for marriage equality who used his prominence as  member of the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winning team to raise awareness for LGBT equality and helped pass marriage equality in Maryland last November. He, along with fellow NFL players Scott Kluwe and Scott Fujita, filed an amicus brief in opposition to Proposition 8  before the Supreme Court.

Earlier this week it was announced that he was being let go from the Ravens (as they are limiting the number of over-30 players on the team)  but he has repeatedly proven himself to be an excellent and emphatic spokesperson for LGBT equality in different media. Hopefully someone else will find use for his talents. And it doesn't hurt that he's hella phyne. He posted the above picture to Facebook. (Look at those legs, are those tree trunks? Hot damn!) He could probably find work as a model or spokesperson.

According to his Wikipedia page, Ayanabadejo is 36 years old, married (to a woman) with two kids and is 6-foot-1, 225 pounds. He is active on both Facebook and Twitter.

This post works as both today's Celebrity Friday and a Bonus Eye Candy.

Hat/tip to Joe.My.God

Gaytterdamerung: Brendan speaks!