49ers Coach Says He'd Welcome a Gay Player

Jim Harbaugh

At least one half of the Harbowl would welcome a gay player on his team — the San Francisco half.

"Personally, there’s no discrimination in my heart,” said 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, according to OutSports.

The San Francisco Harbaugh (who faces off against his brother John as coach of the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl) is a former player himself as an ex-quarterback for the Chicago Bears. OutSports reports that he told the San Francisco Chronicle's subscription iPad magazine his expectations wouldn't change if a player of his were gay.

"I ask all players to play through their own personality and be who they are," he said. "What you ask of a player is to be a great teammate and be a good player. My expectations would be the same."

So far no NFL player has dared to come out while still in the league. Neither has any player on any major sports. A campaign called "The Last Closet" has called on team owners, who have been accused of helping keep players closeted, to express their support for coming out.