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John Amaechi has rejected Football Association chairman Greg Clarkes view that the national game is not ready for an out, gay, male player and accused the sport of lacking the will to tackle homophobia. Amaechi, one of a handful of Britons to make it in the United States National Basketball Association, was giving evidence to MPs in a Culture, Media and Sport Committee hearing on homophobia in sport.The 45-year-old came out in America in 2007 and, despite a mixed initial reaction to his announcement, said being out is better than being in: it frees you in so many ways. But when asked why more British athletes from team sports, particularly football, have not come out, Amaechi delivered a damning indictment of the games leadership. John Amaechi accused football of lacking the will to tackle homophobia Fundamentally, its about will. These people have access to all the resources they need. They could do it now. They just dont have the will to do it, said Amaechi.Last month, Clarke told the CMS committee on Football Governance he would not advise a footballer to come out while still playing because of the abuse they would get from the terraces and social media. Watch NOW TV! Watch Sky Sports for only ￡6.99. No contract The first and only active footballer to come out in the UK was Justin Fashanu in 1990. Since then, players such as Thomas Hitzlsperger and Robbie Rogers have revealed their sexuality, but only after retiring - a decision reversed by the latter three months later when he agreed terms with the Los Angeles Galaxy.Amaechi said he was surprised we are still talking about this but blamed that on sport lagging behind society. He also claimed football did not treat homophobia as seriously as racism. Robbie Rogers returned to football with the LA Galaxy after coming out On Clarkes point that fans were not ready to accept a gay player, Amaechi was dismissive.There is always an undesirable and ignorant segment of society and you will find it on the field, in the stands and in boardrooms - I would say the percentages move up when you reach the boardroom, he said.It is outrageous for these powerful men to suggest that those who look up to them for leadership are solely responsible. N Ireland vs Azerbaijan November 11, 2016, 7:30pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass We would not accept that at a school or in business but we are led to believe fans are feral and somehow uncontrollable.But tacit messages come from leadership. The lack of sanctions for sexist emails or homophobic behaviour, for example - that seeps down. These leaders are responsible for the tone they set, for allowing what they allow. 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Authentic Adrian Peterson Vikings Jersey . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdues Darrell Hazell doesnt look or sound like a man on the hot seat.Walk into his office and youre greeted by a 52-year-old coach eager for a fresh start Saturday against Eastern Kentucky. His desk is tidy and behind it, on a shelf, is an Indiana license plate with a succinct message for anyone who stops by: Beat IU.The truth is, the Boilermakers havent beaten many teams over the past three seasons -- including the Hoosiers -- and Hazell thinks things are about to change.Its not even close, Hazell told The Associated Press when asked if this was the best team hes had at Purdue. The best in a lot of different ways, too, not only talent but how they approach the game and theyre so serious about being good. Because theyre serious about it, they do the extra things that you want them to do. They study more film, they ask more questions. They coach each other.Hazell believes the new culture will lead to more wins. But around campus and around town, others are clamoring for a change.Since taking the job after the 2012 season, Hazell has gone 6-30 and has the worst winning percentage (.167) of any Purdue football coach who lasted more than one season. Half of his wins came against Championship Subdivision schools -- twice over Indiana State and once over Southern Illinois. Hazell is 0-3 against the Hoosiers and on the verge of matching the schools longest losing skid in the series.Purdues attendance numbers have tumbled. Among Big Ten schools, only Northwestern averaged smaller home crowds than the 37,508 who showed up on average at Ross-Ade Stadium last season. The Boilermakers filled a league-low 65.5 percent of stadium capacity in 2015.Take those numbers and add a new athletic director to the mix, and its easy to see why Hazell will be in trouble if he cant turn things around.While Purdues players take Hazells side, they also understand what rumors and speculation can do to a locker room.A lot of times it can tear a team apart or bring it together, former Purdue receiver Danny Anthrop said Monday, before he was cut the Indianapolis Colts. Its a tough situation when you havent had tthe type of success you wanted to have.dddddddddddd.Hazell insists nobody inside the program is paying attention to the chit-chat outside because theyre too busy searching for solutions.During the offseason, Hazell changed both coordinators, simplified the playbook for the offense and defense and revamped his staff.Hes already announced David Blough will remain the starting quarterback. If Blough becomes the first opening-day starter of Hazells tenure to keep his job for the entire season, the Boilermakers may finally have some stability at the most important position.What would really change attitudes in West Lafayette, though, are some early wins. After Saturdays home game, the Boilermakers host Cincinnati and Nevada before opening conference play at Maryland on Oct. 1.Hazell knows a fast start could lead to even bigger things down the road, and players have embraced the challenge.Were starving, starving for some wins, defensive tackle Jake Replogle said. Were ready to go.So is Hazell. He has a veteran quarterback, more options on offense, a defense playing fast and more depth than hes had in those first three seasons at Purdue.Its enough to make the usually low-key Hazell exude confidence.I like our chances, he said. People will read that and say `This guy must be crazy, this guys a nut based on what has happened over the last three years. But heres what people dont understand is in sports no two years are the same.If Hazell is right, the doubters will quickly vanish.If not, it could be another turbulent offseason in West Lafayette, even if Hazell isnt willing to acknowledge that.My focus is solely on getting our program better to win, Hazell said. Thats all I can think about, so all the naysayers, whatever they are out there, the talkers, the talking heads that are making these conversations, one, I dont hear it most of the time. But if I do hear it, I dont pay any attention to it. Theres nothing arrogant about that, its just that I dont have time to focus on those things. ' ' '