When David Ortiz speaks, people listen. The DH of the Boston Red Sox recently had an interview with the Boston Herald’s Steve Buckley about gay athletes.
Ortiz, speaking yesterday about having an openly gay teammate, said that his mother, Angela, taught him a valuable lesson about acceptance. He talked of having a childhood friend, who, he said, “we all knew, when he was 13, that he was gay. And he was always talking to my mother, telling her everything. They were close. And it was my mother who taught me to love people for who they are. That’s what she told me.”
Ortiz spoke about loving people regardless of their differences.
“It’s something you’re born with and everybody needs to accept that. Hey, look, the way I see things, I love people the way they are. Especially if you are honest with yourself. You know what I’m saying?
“It’s the (expletive) 21st century man. Get over it.”
