At the announcement that one, if not most, NBA players are gay, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana denied reports of a longterm relationship on-and-off the field, Michael Strahan and Joe Namath remained mum on why they like to wear makeup, and the University of Alabama would not verify reports that it has won so many national championships because it recruits only young men who want to prove they’re tough and absolutely without-a-doubt not gay just because they like to play dress up — spiked shoes, face makeup, tattoos, long hair and colourful uniforms — chasing and tackling each other in front of screaming fanatics.