Ravens Support Ayanbadejo's Free Speech

From the Ravens website:

The Ravens are standing behind free speech and linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.

This week, Ayanbadejo sparked a political debate that began with same-sex marriage and has since branched into the freedom of speech.

Ayanbadejo has been a supporter of same-sex marriage for several years. He has tweeted about the issue, written a column for Huffington Post in 2009 and appeared in a pair of YouTube videos advocating for the cause, including for the organization Equality Maryland.

He most recently contributed a pair of Ravens tickets to a fundraiser for Marylanders For Marriage Equality. That upset Maryland Delegate Emmett Burns (Baltimore County), who addressed a letter to Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti and asked him to intervene.

“Many of my constituents and your football supporters are appalled and aghast that a member of the Ravens Football Team would step into this controversial divide and try to sway public opinion one way or the other,” Burns wrote in a letter obtained by WBAL-TV.

“Many of your fans are opposed to such a view and feel it has no place in a sport that is strictly for pride, entertainment and excitement. I believe Mr. Ayanbadejo should concentrate on football and steer clear of dividing the fan base.”

Upon seeing the letter, Ayanbadejo said he was “shocked.”

“For him to be a delegate, I was kind of shocked that he would want to silence me and tell me to stick to football in a free country,” he said. “People have died to have those rights to be able to voice those opinions – no matter what their opinions are.”

After speaking with Bisciotti, President Dick Cass told BaltimoreRavens.com that they will write Burns a response.

“We support Brendon’s right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment,” Cass said.

Free speech wins the day!!!