Seahawk Ryan ‘flattered’ to lead city’s pride parade

Regina Pride organizers are hoping one of the city’s favourite football sons can help break down stigma for gay athletes, just by marching in a sea of rainbow flags.

Jon Ryan, a punter with the Seattle Seahawks, will lead this year’s Queen City Pride Parade as one of two grand marshals, according to Regina Pride co-chair Dan Shier.

“We think that someone like Jon is a good role model and a good ally since he’s willing to stand up for equality and acceptance,” said Shier.

“His tie to being a local Regina guy is the other reason we approached him.”

Ryan said he was “flattered” to get the offer. He knows it’s not a title the parade bestows lightly.

“I was very honoured that they would think of me,” he said.

Born and raised in Regina, Ryan said he’s long been outspoken in his support for the LGBTQ community. Prejudice is a problem that troubles him at Seahawks games, where he said fans sometimes say “terrible things” or scream homophobic epithets.

“That’s something gay athletes will have to deal with, and it’s a real shame,” he said.

Shier said Ryan’s advocacy played leading role in the decision. He was nominated because of his “assertive” response to online homophobia in the wake of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. Ryan chastised fans over the sometimes toxic comments that followed the deaths, which deeply affected the gay community.

“I told one guy that myself and the Seahawks didn’t want him as a fan if he was going to spew this hatred,” he said of one of the worst commenters.

Shier said emerging gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans athletes need to know there are people willing to stand up for them — even professional athletes from outside the community. He said there’s still a perception that the sports world isn’t accepting.

Many are uneasy about being out and proud in the dressing room. He said it’s important to find role models to tell them “it’s OK to be open about who you are.”

This is the first year a pro athlete has led the parade, as far as Shier can recall, though he notes that Gainer the Gopher has marched in the past. He said organizers recognize sports has sometimes been a blind spot for Regina Pride. They’re now looking for ways to change attitudes.

Shier thinks a star of Ryan’s stature could bring out fans who usually wouldn’t think of attending a pride parade.

“I’m kind of hoping that knowing that there’s an NFL player from the Seahawks coming to the pride parade might pique some interest from other people,” he said. “Hopefully that might change some minds or raise some eyebrows.”

As grand marshal, Ryan will walk at the front of the parade as it weaves its way through downtown Regina on June 16. He’ll share the honour with members of AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan, a non-profit that organizers picked to draw attention to Saskatchewan’s nation-leading HIV rates and to highlight new ways to live with the disease.

Ryan said he hopes his presence can play a small role in changing stereotypes. His message is simple: Times are changing. Old stereotypes still crop up, he stressed, but more players are ready to welcome their teammates — whatever their sexuality.

“If you’re an openly gay athlete, you’re welcome,” he said. “And you can play at the top level.”

He looks forward to a time when that won’t even be an open question.

“I would like to see a day and age when an openly gay athlete plays in the NFL and it’s not news — nobody talks about it,” he said. “At that point, we will truly have equality.”