Bock, The Sports Guru

Just teasing my American friends on Facebook, I know shit about football or American Football.

"Der Hammer" Comes Out

International professional football (soccer) player Thomas Hitzlsperger, 31, has come out publicly as gay in an interview with the German newspaper Die Zeit.

“I am declaring my homosexuality because I want the question of homosexuality in the world of professional sport to be out in the open.”, the German midfielder declared in the interview while also admitting that the decision to come out publicly had been “a long and difficult process”.

Hitzlsperger, has played 52 times on the German national team and has worked in Germany, England and Italy with Aston Villa, Everton, Wolfsburg and Lazio among others before retiring from football six months ago. He gained the nickname Der Hammer (The Hammer) due to his powerful left-foot shot from long-range.

Hitzlsperger said he had decided to come out because he wanted to promote the discussion of homosexuality in professional sport. “I've never been ashamed of the way I am,” he added, although it had not always been easy to cope with some of the homophobic comments dished out.

The Swedish Wiener Incident

Lars Ohly, is the former party chairman of the Swedish Left Party (Vänsterpartiet), a socialist and feminist political party in Sweden. He is also a fan and supporter of  the English Premier League football (soccer for you Yanks) club Liverpool FC and a user of Instagram.

Two days ago Ohly proudly put up a picture on Instagram of the new Liverpool tattoo on the calf, of his left leg without thoroughly checking the picture he had taken first. As it turned out the picture happened to show more than he intended. Parts of his... ehmmmm... "junk" was showing in the picture.

The censored version

The picture provoked instant reactions from some of his followers.

Carl Bildt, the Swedish Foreign Minister congratulated him on Twitter for the fact that he had "finally made his breakthrough in social media after trying so many years".

Håkan Juholt, former party chairman of The Swedish Social Democratic Party, sent a text message to Ohly informing him that he - after seeing the picture - had changed his barbeque plans "from wieners to chicken".

Comedian Al Pitcher wrote: ”I think Lars Ohly showed loads of balls to admit he supports Liverpool”.

Comedian Robin Paulsson wrote: "The Left gained 7 centimetres in the latest opinion polls thanks to Lars Ohly"

You want the uncensored picture I hear you crying, my dear readers. I think I may have spoilt you too much, but I cannot be so cruel as to deny you this small favor.

The uncensored version

Ohly has since removed the picture, but seems to take all the attention he has gotten with lots of humor noting that he has gained many new followers and that his wife has told him that she will have to check all the pictures he uploads in the future.

David Beckham Retires

David "Hot Legs" Beckham, 38, of Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG) today announced that he is retiring from professional football (the sport which to North American's is better known as "soccer").

It is indeed sad news, even for those of us who have never given a damn about Mr. Beckham's football career, but have always enjoyed his great looking legs. Hopefully Mr. Beckham will continue his career as a model for men's underwear and swimwear a couple of years more.

Entire Soccer Team Sacked for Homophobia

Sörskogens IF, the first team of 2012

After a soccer game in the 7th division of the Swedish league between the LGBT team Stockholm Snipers and Sörskogen IF, the whole first team of Sörskogens IF has been fired by the clubs board. The reason for this decision was that some of the players of Sörskogen called Sniper players "HIV infected", "sluts" and said things like "You suck dick for 50 crowns" to them.

Sörskogens IF has also received a fine of five thousand Swedish crowns (U.S. $750). The players were ordered to join an ethics course at Stockholm's soccer federation, which they refused. They claim they have made ​​no homophobic statements. 

Ketil Torp, chairman of the board of Sörskogen IF says, "The players unwillingness to apologize, or even admit to the wrongdoings, were the reason for sacking them. It is clear that the team does not consist of 15 villains, rather of a few black sheep, but they are protecting each other and do not want to stand up for what has happened. When you're a team, you have to work together to ensure that all is done in a good manner. The players have shown no willingness to communicate with us. Had they done so, we might not have had to fire them. It is important to put your foot down, to show which values ​​the team stands for especially since we have so many young people and children on the team."

Anton Gets A Stonewall Award

The Swedish pro soccer player Anton Hysén (20) has been awarded a Stonewall Award as "Sportsperson of the Year". The Swedish player was praised for taking a stand in the sport.

Anton is the world’s only openly gay professional footballer since he came out as gay to the Swedish football magazine Offside in March 2011.

Now let´s see if the Swedish Soccer Federation have balls large enough to celebrate him tonight at their big party with many awards handed out.

The Stonewall Awards is an annual event to celebrate people who have had a positive impact on the lives of British LGBT people.

Anton Hysén of course also has his own blog, Anton Hysén.

UPDATE: Nope, Anton didn´t receive any recognition by the spineless bastards of the Swedish Soccer Federation. They had an excellent opportunity to strike a blow at the rampant homophobia in sports - and they blew it.