Chris Broussard clarifies his ESPN remarks about Jason Collins

ESPN NBA analyst Chris Broussard caused a lot of controversy Monday when he said the following about NBA center Jason Collins, who had announced he was gay earlier in the day: “I’m a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is.... If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be ... that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ.”

Late Monday night, Broussard, who made the comments during ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” show, released a statement clarifying his remarks.

“Today on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today’s news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA.”

ESPN also released a statement late Monday:

“We regret that a respectful discussion of personal viewpoints became a distraction from today’s news. ESPN is fully committed to diversity and welcomes Jason Collins’ announcement.”

You can hear all of Broussard’s remarks on “Outside the Lines” in the video above.

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