September 10, 2012 | Sex & Society

Politician backs down after football player rant

It didn't take long before Emmett C. Burns Jr., a politician who represents Baltimore County in Maryland, decided that his call to have a football player who supported gay rights punished for sharing his views was a little out of line. Burns, a Democrat, now concedes that Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo should be allowed to speak out in favor of same-sex marriage.

"Upon reflection, he has his First Amendment rights," Burns said "And I have my First Amendment rights. … Each of us has the right to speak our opinions. The football player and I have a right to speak our minds."