Philip Rivers, quarterback for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, will be N.C . State’s commencement speaker at the spring ceremony May 12.
Rivers, who graduated from N.C . State in 2003 and set many athletic records as a Wolfpack football player, has also made his political stance public.
“I am supporting Rick Santorum for President because of his stance on issues that attack vital Christian values our country was founded upon,” Rivers said in a statement. “No abortion, upholding traditional marriage, defending religious freedom, no euthanasia. “
“Rick Santorum will also fight to create jobs and expand opportunities for all Americans. I am proud to endorse Senator Santorum and do what I can to help him secure the Republican nomination for President of the United States.”
The strong political stance has been disconcerting for some members of the University community, as it may bring politics into an otherwise positive graduation day.
Justine Hollingshead , director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender ( GLBT ) Center at N.C . State commented on the statement.
”I certainly am not one to judge who people support as a political candidate. It’s unfortunate that he doesn’t view marriage equality as something that should be afforded to everyone,” Hollingshead said.
“For some reason, marriage needing to be protected is a very conservative narrow-minded focus,” Hollingshead said. “You would hope somebody of his influence and a role model would be more embracing of diversity.”
Hollingshead said that many students on campus don’t share Rivers’ conservative views.
”When he makes comments like ‘upholding traditional marriage’, that makes students think something about them is a problem and they don’t deserve to have the same rights as someone who is heterosexual,” Hollingshead said.
Hollingshead said that although she does not agree with Rivers politically, he has been supportive toward the University, and she is not necessarily opposed to his speech.
“Most folks aren’t educated on the history of marriage. As a straight white man, you don’t know what it’s like to walk in the shoes of somebody who has been discriminated against,” Hollingshead said.
Aaron Dancy , chairman of College Republicans, said that he is excited to hear Rivers speak, and commends his statements.
”It’s admirable that he will take a stance. From a Republican standpoint, I think by releasing that he’s reaffirming his political values, and I think it’s great that Philip Rivers is a strong conservative. It all boils down to it’s his opinion. He could’ve come out and said anything.”
“I don’t think that that should make a difference about him speaking at N.C . State,” Dancy said. “If you can’t put political differences aside, that’s your own closed-mindedness.”
Sarah Parker, president of N.C . State College Democrats, said that she is excited for Rivers to speak on behalf of the 2012 graduating class because he is a great asset who upholds professional values, but disagrees with his political stance.
”America is known as the land of opportunity where multiple cultures are accepted. By applying strictly Christian views to our politics, we are going against the motto that America is so proud to uphold,” Parker said.
Parker said that the world is an ever-changing place and opposing gay marriage is just another form of discrimination.
“We’ve seen these radical opposition opinions in the past when dealing with African Americans rights and women’s rights. In the end it was clear that the correct answer was to give everyone an equal opportunity,” Parker said.
Parker, although excited, pointed out a flaw in Rivers’ view towards the importance of Christian values.
”It appears as though he is saying that only Christians deserve religious freedom. There are hundreds, if thousands of religions upheld in America,” Parker said. “It is fundamentally wrong to exclude everyone that is not Christian from religious freedom.”
