NFL star Odell Beckham Jr., who was traded from the New York Giants to the Cleveland Browns this football offseason, is speaking to the rumors that he’s gay.
“I’ve never had an opportunity to talk about this. Honestly wasn’t offended [by the rumors]. I’ve never once had no problem with anybody who has their own personal life that they live. I have friends who are gay. It was almost more funny to me. I almost messed with them even more,” Odell, 26, told GQ. “It’s like when someone gives me an ultimatum, I’m usually always going to go to the opposite way of what you want me to go. So when they would say that, I would almost mess with them even more. I have no problem with anyone’s sexual orientation.”
GQ‘s interviewer then asked, “I feel like posts like that only contribute to homophobia in the black community. The idea that someone must be gay—or that being gay is in any way shameful—because they’re dancing or have blond hair seems so small-minded.”
Odell responded, “Or because they’re ‘close with other men.’ Even like little videos where they see me leaned back or something, they’ll say that I’m looking at a guy’s ass. And I’m like, ‘Bro! You don’t even know where my mind is at.’ It was just a lose-lose. They’d see me with a white woman and be like,’“Why don’t you be with any sisters?’ I have no problem with any race. Love is love.”
Odell continued, “If you’re attracted to somebody, you’re attracted to somebody. There was such a stigma built up, [as though] I don’t like my own women. It’s like, no, I don’t like anybody who annoys me. [laughs]”
If you don’t know, Odell Beckham Jr. was once romantically linked to someone very famous!
