The Jacksonville Jaguars can’t even get a simple and uncontroversial concept as Kiss Cam right.
According to Eric Adelson of Yahoo Sports, the Jaguars have upset one of their most loyal fans, David Uible, who is gay. During Jaguars games, they like a number of professional sports teams, have a camera focus on several couples, forcing them to kiss awkwardly in the presence of thousands of fans. Only, they take it a step further and focus the camera on opposing players to make it look like they’re going to do the same as a joke.
Uible, doesn’t see the humor in this type of entertainment.
“I think I saw it, maybe two years ago,” Uible, 47, said by phone Tuesday. “Then I saw it this year. The thing is they have this section at Jags games for honorable kids. Some are definitely going to be gay. It gives a negative angle. I just don’t think it’s necessary. It just seems out of place to me.”
After reading and article on the issues in the NFL concerning gay rights issues, Uible wrote this letter to Jaguars owner Shad Khan to voice his displeasure:
“I am gay and I have a lot of gay and lesbian friends who are proud Jaguar season ticket holders. I’m not sure you are aware, but there is a video ‘joke’ called the Kiss Cam that plays at the games. Often, the bit goes like this: after showing several happy heterosexual couples kissing in the stands, the camera then pans to two opposing male players who are in close proximity and leaning toward each other – insinuating that they may do the exact same (and ostensibly wrong) thing and kiss. Hilarious, right? No, and the message is clear. Jaguars are heterosexual and approved. The opponent is ‘gay,’ disapproved and the butt of a crude joke. Really, why is this even at an NFL game?”
Uible, who usually attends all home games, says he doesn’t want the Jaguars to stop doing Kiss Cam, just make the necessary modifications. He feels that the owner was the right man to go to with the problem.
“I just felt that Mr. Khan was new,” Uible said, “and he would do something about it.”
The Jaguars can’t afford to alienate any of their dwindling number of fans for any reason, especially for something as trivial as Kiss Cam.