Ravens Player Matt Birk Speaks Out In Favor Of Traditional Marriage
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Another Baltimore Ravens player is speaking out about same-sex marriage, but this time, it's in opposition.
Mike Schuh explains the message comes from Ravens center Matt Birk.
The Minnesota native wrote an op-ed piece for his hometown newspaper to let folks know that not all NFL players agree with allowing gays and lesbians to marry.
He's normally on offense, but now Ravens center Matt Birk takes his position defending marriage on behalf of the Catholic Church.
"If we allow genderless marriage to become law, the implication is that the contributions of part of our society, either men or women, are insignificant or less valuable," Birk said.
While Birk is the latest, he isn't the first Raven to take a stand on this hot-button issue.
"Join me. It's the right thing to do," said Brendon Ayanbadejo.
Marylanders For Marriage Equality took Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo as their NFL hero when he recorded that message.
"I believe we should be doing everything we can to make Maryland families stronger, which is why I support marriage for gay and lesbian couples who want to make a lifetime commitment to each other," Ayanbadejo said.
And while the marriage debate rages in the political arena, all sides on Team Ravens agree it won't interfere with their game.
"Out of respect to my teammates and my team and the organization, this isn't going to turn into a circus," Birk said.
"As long as everybody respects everybody else's opinion, that's the main thing. We talk about politics, religion, all those kinds of things--movies, music. It's OK to have an opinion. It's really important to respect everybody else's opinion," said Coach John Harbaugh.
Matt Birk will soon appear in video messages on behalf of Maryland opponents of same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, Brendon Ayanbadejo will co-host a Monday Night Football party on Oct. 8 to raise money in support of same-sex marriage.
To read more of Matt Birk's comments on same-sex marriage, click here.
To read a rebuttal response from fellow NFL'er Chris Kluwe, click here.
