How Would You React to a Gay Athlete at Alabama? (Poll)

Sports Illustrated's upcoming issue will change the landscape of major sports in America. Jason Collins, a 12-year NBA veteran, has become the first openly gay athlete in major professional sports, and his revelation will open the door for many more to follow.

In the magazine issue, Collins tells the story in his own words, and does so eloquently. Everyone will be able to relate to his struggle for happiness. We all strive for that simple, yet often elusive, state of existence quite frequently.

While it's a milestone in the gay rights movement, this story shouldn't be as surprising as many are making it out to be. Momentum has been barreling towards acceptance, and we've reached a boiling point for gay athletes being silenced. Take Middle Tennessee State kicker Alan Gendreau as an example. He tried to become the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL, but he wasn't one of the two kickers selected this past weekend.

There are plenty of other stories of gay athletes competing at every level. The landscape has changed significantly in the past 15 years, but it will continue to shift at a major level. Whether you want to believe it or not, there will likely be someone on your favorite team that decides to come out. Jason Collins statement in SI is proof.

I go against the gay stereotype, which is why I think a lot of players will be shocked: That guy is gay? But I've always been an aggressive player, even in high school.

That might soon become a common reaction around professional and major college sports. That guy is gay? At some point, that will be the question at The University of Alabama. Former Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson addressed the issue with TheRoot.com last summer:

As long as they're playing good football and contributing to the team, I don't have nothing to do with that. It is what it is. I don't have any problem with any sexuality or whatever they've got going on.

So how will you react to an openly gay player on one of the major sport teams at Alabama? Whether you want to ignore now or not, it will become a topic of conversation at some point. Let us know how you feel in the comments below.