x
Breaking News
More () »

Odell Beckham Jr.: Speculation of sexual orientation hurts ‘worse when it comes from black community’

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was very open and honest about his career and personal life in an interview with GQ Magazine.

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been the topic of much debate and discussion during his NFL career, and not just for his successes on the field, passion for winning or what kind of teammate he is.

In the sports and entertainment worlds, rumors and “reports” about personal matters can run rampant and Beckham Jr. is no stranger to such speculation. Beckham Jr. has had his sexual orientation questioned several times in recent years, and he addressed those reports in a cover story interview with GQ Magazine.

“I’ve never had an opportunity to talk about this,” Beckham Jr. said. “Honestly, wasn’t offended. I’ve never once had no problem with anybody who has their own personal life that they live. I have friends who are gay. It was almost more funny to me.

“I almost messed with them even more. It’s like when someone gives me an ultimatum, I’m usually always going to go to the opposite way of what you want me to go. So when they would say that, I would almost mess with them even more. I have no problem with anyone’s sexual orientation.”

RELATED: Cleveland Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr.: ‘Make it mandatory’ if NFL wants players to attend OTAs

Beckham Jr. tries to keep private details about much of his personal life, but after sharing videos and photos of himself out with friends on social media, he has his sexual orientation called into question.

“Even like little videos where they see me leaned back or something, they’ll say that ‘I’m looking at a guy’s (backside),’ Beckham Jr. said. “And I’m like, ‘Bro! You don’t even know where my mind is at.’ It was just a lose-lose.

“They’d see me with a white woman and be like, ‘Why don’t you be with any sisters?’ I have no problem with any race. Love is love. If you’re attracted to somebody, you’re attracted to somebody. There was such a stigma built up, [as though] I don’t like my own women. It’s like, ‘No, I don’t like anybody who annoys me.’”

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
NFL player Odell Beckham Jr., of the Cleveland Browns, arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

RELATED: Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. ‘felt disrespected’ by New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman

Although Beckham Jr. promises “to stop worrying so much about the politics” and is “just going to be happy” during his first year with the Browns, he is bothered by the criticism of his way of portraying his personal life.

“It makes it worse when it comes from the black community,” Beckham Jr. said. “I feel like everything is a double standard. You want us to support the black community, and then, you go out and bash black people for being happy.

“So someone can’t be happy, someone can’t be dancing? ‘Oh, he’s always around guys. He’s never around girls.’ I just don’t want you to see what woman I’m with, and I don’t want you in my personal life. I always try to keep my personal life my personal life. I feel like I don’t owe that to anybody.”

Click here to read the full article. The August edition of GQ will be available Tuesday.

Before You Leave, Check This Out