Burch: Homophobic slur 'unacceptable and offensive'
TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) - Seattle Sounders defender Marc Burch said Tuesday the suspension he received for using a homophobic slur during a playoff game last season needed to be harsh and was deserved.
"I think it will always be on the back of my mind. You make a mistake and you want to fix it as much as you can. That's what I've tried to do. It's the only thing I can do," Burch said, his first time speaking with reporters since being suspended last November. "I can't make up for what I did. All I can do is just prove from here on out that nothing like that is ever going to happen again. That's not who I am. That's not what I do. That's not part of my game. That's not part of this team's game. I made a mistake and since then I think I'm doing the right things. That's the only thing I can do from here on out."
Burch received a three-game suspension last November for using "unacceptable and offensive language" in a playoff game against Real Salt Lake. Burch was forced to sit out both games of last season's Western Conference Finals against Los Angeles and will miss Saturday's season opener against Montreal.
Burch says he can't make up for what he said - which was caught by television cameras - and is focused on proving that is not who he is. It's been made even more difficult for Burch by his surroundings. His older sister is openly gay and one of his friends from college at Maryland is former Columbus Crew and U.S. national team player Robbie Rogers, who recently wrote in a blog post that he is gay and is stepping away from soccer.
After Rogers' announcement, Burch tweeted, "So much love and respect for my fellow Terp and friend (at)robbierogers hope to see you on the pitch again soon!"
Burch said he believes MLS will be the first league to accept an openly gay player.
"I think we'll be the first league to definitely accept it. I think it will come and go a lot easier than people think," Burch said. "I would hope that Robbie comes back, but if his passion is in what he's doing now, I completely support him. It's going to happen, and I think this is a perfect league for it."
Burch was ordered to attend diversity and sensitivity training as part of his suspension. He also has reached out the local gay and lesbian community in Seattle. On one day last December he arranged to play in Sunday scrimmage with a local gay soccer club.
"Obviously they knew of the incident, but it wasn't something that needed to be spoken about," Burch said. "They understood I wasn't coming out there to make myself look good. I just wanted to let them know that it wasn't something that (reflects) who I am. When I went up there, I think everyone just appreciated the fact that I was there to enjoy the game and enjoy the game with them."
"I think it will always be on the back of my mind. You make a mistake and you want to fix it as much as you can. That's what I've tried to do. It's the only thing I can do," Burch said, his first time speaking with reporters since being suspended last November. "I can't make up for what I did. All I can do is just prove from here on out that nothing like that is ever going to happen again. That's not who I am. That's not what I do. That's not part of my game. That's not part of this team's game. I made a mistake and since then I think I'm doing the right things. That's the only thing I can do from here on out."
Burch received a three-game suspension last November for using "unacceptable and offensive language" in a playoff game against Real Salt Lake. Burch was forced to sit out both games of last season's Western Conference Finals against Los Angeles and will miss Saturday's season opener against Montreal.
Burch says he can't make up for what he said - which was caught by television cameras - and is focused on proving that is not who he is. It's been made even more difficult for Burch by his surroundings. His older sister is openly gay and one of his friends from college at Maryland is former Columbus Crew and U.S. national team player Robbie Rogers, who recently wrote in a blog post that he is gay and is stepping away from soccer.
After Rogers' announcement, Burch tweeted, "So much love and respect for my fellow Terp and friend (at)robbierogers hope to see you on the pitch again soon!"
Burch said he believes MLS will be the first league to accept an openly gay player.
"I think we'll be the first league to definitely accept it. I think it will come and go a lot easier than people think," Burch said. "I would hope that Robbie comes back, but if his passion is in what he's doing now, I completely support him. It's going to happen, and I think this is a perfect league for it."
Burch was ordered to attend diversity and sensitivity training as part of his suspension. He also has reached out the local gay and lesbian community in Seattle. On one day last December he arranged to play in Sunday scrimmage with a local gay soccer club.
"Obviously they knew of the incident, but it wasn't something that needed to be spoken about," Burch said. "They understood I wasn't coming out there to make myself look good. I just wanted to let them know that it wasn't something that (reflects) who I am. When I went up there, I think everyone just appreciated the fact that I was there to enjoy the game and enjoy the game with them."
In 60 plus years, homosexuals are going to be using these "offensive" words, terms and phrases,just as blacks do today, with the "N" word. And, they will be saying they have a right to use those âoffensiveâ words, terms and phrases just as the blacks do today, but those âoffensiveâ words, terms and phrases will still be off limits to everyone else.Just saying.
I have a lot of friends who are not at all homophobic, but who still use those kinds of words in everyday speech. I believe this guy, I think he was just mad, and chose the wrong word; that was pretty stupid, but it doesn't mean he hates gay people.Â
He did not apologize. He does not agree with his apology. He said it to keep playing. I am not sure why he can't have an opinion. If you care what someone saysmaboutma class of people and take it personally you need some self esteem. Why do we continue to try to make everyone the same? We are all different. We have different views, thoughts and beliefs. Everyone claims they want a right to do what they want but when their belief is different than someone the other person is wrong. The citizens and government is forcing us to be followers of an unknown belief and ignore ourself.
Burch has way more class than those Euro punters put together!
Its admirable that Burch admits his mistake, it takes a strong person to do this. I hope he joins or makes a donation to the sports organisation YOU CAN PLAY. It was started by Brian and Patrick Burke and others involved in the NHL and its expanded to include all sports. Gay athletes straight alliance. Teaming up for respect. Its about time that respect came back into sports.
http://youcanplayproject.org/
when is this will ever end? if a group of people are worried about what they are being called, they have problems with themselves, has nothing to do with what words are used against them. Â
Right - and as soon as you get called nasty names regarding your heritage/race/gender/sexual preference, you'll be the first to scream about how wrong it is for that kind of person to talk like that....
In a follow-up interview Burch admitted he had no backbone.
@Klondiko He has a backbone, he admitted something that people don't like to admit. Its a shame that you can't see that.
@Klondiko and fell down all discombobulated