Jordan Henderson | New Athletic Interview: I strongly believe that me playing in Saudi Arabia is a positive thing

red.knight said:
Absolutely nothing controversial about this move. He is a football player moving clubs. Whatever views he has on any subject he probably still has them. But his life comes before any views on these subjects.
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But that's the thing, he explicitly voiced those views when it was convenient for him, when he was in a comfortable position and when it got him some very good PR without any hassle. If you really are invested in this cause, like he made us believe he was, then you wouldn't go to play in Saudi Arabia for all the money in the world.

I get that it's purely a business decision, I'm not criticizing the move per se, I'm just saying in this thread that he shouldn't have bothered to go public with all those LGBTQI+ statements if he doesn't feel that strongly about them anyway (which he clearly doesn't, given this move). That's what makes him a hypocrite for me, not the move as such - there's plenty of footballers right now choosing for money over all else and I don't necessarily blame them for that.
 
Don't care much if he's criticised but funny how we hold footballers to higher moral standards than our politicians.
 
erikcred said:
But he's burnt quite a few bridges now in terms of work after retirement. Doesn't seem like he's the kind that goes into coaching and he's hardly charismatic enough to be on TV. This whole LGBTQ ally business was all that he had going for him off the pitch. Maybe it doesn't matter and he's just planning to sit and enjoy all this cash after retirement.
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At 700k a week, I imagine he won't need any bridges after his playing career is over. If he's smart with his money that 100 million should last forever. Also what's the tax situation going to be like for all of the players in Saudi? Even at 50% he's looking at 54 million cleared in 3 years, that's total f off money.
 
Perhaps they could be a bit more thankful for what he did for them in the past instead of being ungrateful to him now. It’s his life and everyone should respect his decision.
 
Howl said:
At 700k a week, I imagine he won't need any bridges after his playing career is over. If he's smart with his money that 100 million should last forever. Also what's the tax situation going to be like for all of the players in Saudi? Even at 50% he's looking at 54 million cleared in 3 years, that's total f off money.
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Yep, don't think he ever has to work again, it's his legacy that takes a hit. Must be incredibly frustrating for pool fans that the story of their captain who led them to a PL and CL would end like this.
 
mu4c_20le said:
Yep, don't think he ever has to work again, it's his legacy that takes a hit. Must be incredibly frustrating for pool fans that the story of their captain who led them to a PL and CL would end like this.
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Do the majority of Liverpool fans even care though? I imagine its only a small subset of people who actually care what footballers say and think. In 20 years all that will be remembered is he was the captain who led Liverpool to their first PL win as well as their 6th champions league so I doubt his legacy will be tarnished much if at all.
 
gajender said:
All these scousers who are criticising Henderson must also be really miffed with their Club for selling him for fee to Saudi's or the outrage is just reserved for players .
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Are you shocked at the inconsistency? Aren't they hypocrites for taking "blood money" from a transfer, while posting in support of LGBT rights? Someone will be along to mutter whataboutism in a bit.
 
mu4c_20le said:
Yep, don't think he ever has to work again, it's his legacy that takes a hit. Must be incredibly frustrating for pool fans that the story of their captain who led them to a PL and CL would end like this.
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Does it really matter though? I stop caring about majority of players who have played for United after they leave.
 
Howl said:
Do the majority of Liverpool fans even care though? I imagine its only a small subset of people who actually care what footballers say and think. In 20 years all that will be remembered is he was the captain who led Liverpool to their first PL win as well as their 6th champions league so I doubt his legacy will be tarnished much if at all.
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Lay said:
Does it really matter though? I stop caring about majority of players who have played for United after they leave.
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I guess it depends on where you ask. Twitter fans probably don't, RAWK definitely does, but they are also more left than us.
 
erikcred said:
One would think so. But the whole reason why Henderson got so much publicity in the first place is because not many people in those positions actually do.
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You are right, he went beyond what the avarage sportsman did, which is why he gets flack now.

What i ment is you dont loose money doing it, but now he has to choose between that money and beeing vocal, set up against more money and he choosed more money.

His choice, but it takes away alot of the good he did by being extra vocal about a cause.
 
I guess it's just all corporate shilling to him until I hear an updated perspective. You'd swear this was a strategic purchase by the Saudis to showcase hypocrisy.
 
BootsyCollins said:
You are right, he went beyond what the avarage sportsman did, which is why he gets flack now.

What i ment is you dont loose money doing it, but now he has to choose between that money and beeing vocal, set up against more money and he choosed more money.

His choice, but it takes away alot of the good he did by being extra vocal about a cause.
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So are we now saying that footballers shouldn't get involved in positive causes if they one day intend to live in a country that disagrees with such causes? So essentially it's better for footballers to do/say nothing because they put themselves at risk of future criticism?
 
JB7 said:
So are we now saying that footballers shouldn't get involved in positive causes if they one day intend to live in a country that disagrees with such causes? So essentially it's better for footballers to do/say nothing because they put themselves at risk of future criticism?
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You might what to look into that "disagrees" part. It's a little bit more than disagreement.
 
Firstly don't put footballers or any famous person on a pedestal and expect them to be a role model. You have no idea the kind of person they really are in their private life

Secondly actions speak louder than words. I don't care what someone says if their actions contradict it. People lie, and in this cynical attention seeking age of social media people will especially bullshit for the sake of positive PR. Accept this fact and you'll see through a lot of nonsense that is posted on social media.

None of them should be held to a higher standard than the rest of us. But if you make the mistake of thinking you know them on some personal level as if they're your mate, then you only have yourself to blame when you feel hurt and let down by them
 
Rooney in Paris said:
You might what to look into that "disagrees" part. It's a little bit more than disagreement.
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Everything related to it being made illegal and the ridiculous penalties are ultimately born out of the cultures disagreement with LGBT rights. Either way the general question stands.
 
I'm surprised any Liverpool fans have turned against him. He's 33, been at the club for 12 seasons, he's given them his best years and then some, and his role in the team is only going get smaller. You'd think it was like Sterling or Suarez again.
 
JB7 said:
Everything related to it being made illegal and the ridiculous penalties are ultimately born out of the cultures disagreement with LGBT rights. Either way the general question stands.
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He spoke for LGBT people, position himself as an ally, and then he moved to country where being gay is illegal, to get a paycheck directly from very wealthy homophobes.

He is an hypocrite, and I don't expect any better tbh, most rich people don't do what they preach anyways.
 
AndySmith1990 said:
Firstly don't put footballers or any famous person on a pedestal and expect them to be a role model. You have no idea the kind of person they really are in their private life

Secondly actions speak louder than words. I don't care what someone says if their actions contradict it. People lie, and in this cynical attention seeking age of social media people will especially bullshit for the sake of positive PR. Accept this fact and you'll see through a lot of nonsense that is posted on social media.

None of them should be held to a higher standard than the rest of us. But if you make the mistake of thinking you know them on some personal level as if they're your mate, then you only have yourself to blame when you feel hurt and let down by them
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"But I do believe that when you see something that is clearly wrong and makes another human being feel excluded you should stand shoulder to shoulder with them. You also have a responsibility to educate yourself better around the challenges they experience.

That's where my own position on homophobia is rooted. Before I'm a footballer, I'm a husband, a parent, a son, a brother, and a friend to the people in my life who mean so much to me. The idea that any of them would feel excluded from playing or attending a football match, simply for being and identifying as who they are, blows my mind."

Henderson's comments on homophobia.

I don't think people necessarily put him on a pedestal, rather than he happily got up on it himself to help improve his image and brand. And now he's rightfully getting called out as the hypocrite he's shown himself to be.
 
FrankFoot said:
He spoke for LGBT people, position himself as an ally, and then he moved to country where being gay is illegal, to get a paycheck directly from very wealthy homophobes.

He is an hypocrite, and I don't expect any better tbh, most rich people don't do what they preach anyways.
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Everyone is.
 
Isn't the best way to combat intolerance, homophobia, racism, etc. to integrate with people and change attitudes? I don't know what anyone expects to achieve by trying to shut Saudi Arabia off from the world. Always find that attitude odd.

Also not sure what the point is in singling out Henderson for his PR LGBT virtue signalling when the entire England squad and in fact pretty much entire fecking country was at it less than a year ago during the world cup. LGBT rights were super important until it meant an England player might get booked for supporting them, or until it would have meant not watching the world cup.

Its a bit ironic to call him a hypocrit as well given how picky and choosy people are about when this is an issue.
 
Are the same people slagging him off who want Saudi to take Telles and Bailly off our hands (and Marital too if possible)?
 
mu4c_20le said:
I guess it depends on where you ask. Twitter fans probably don't, RAWK definitely does, but they are also more left than us.
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It's always a tiny fraction of people who are the loudest. Your average fan isn't going to care about what Henderson says or thinks, especially given most of what celebrities say are passed through a team of Lawyers/Publicists/Agents first. Is he a hypocrite? Yeah probably, but I've personally never really understood the desire to have celebrities be perfect, or role models.
 
noodlehair said:
Isn't the best way to combat intolerance, homophobia, racism, etc. to integrate with people and change attitudes? I don't know what anyone expects to achieve by trying to shut Saudi Arabia off from the world. Always find that attitude odd.

Also not sure what the point is in singling out Henderson for his PR LGBT virtue signalling when the entire England squad and in fact pretty much entire fecking country was at it less than a year ago during the world cup. LGBT rights were super important until it meant an England player might get booked for supporting them, or until it would have meant not watching the world cup.

Its a bit ironic to call him a hypocrit as well given how picky and choosy people are about when this is an issue.
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One foreigner cant change the views of an entire country. If anything theres a bigger chance for the country affecting individuals. Its not rocket science and he knew in advance when he signed that contract.
 
FrankFoot said:
He spoke for LGBT people, position himself as an ally, and then he moved to country where being gay is illegal, to get a paycheck directly from very wealthy homophobes.

He is an hypocrite, and I don't expect any better tbh, most rich people don't do what they preach anyways.
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You haven't answered the question though. Are we now saying it would be better for him never to have spoken to/for LGBT people, and by extension that it would be better for footballers to not get involved with positive causes if there is a chance one day they may do something which contradicts that cause?
 
noodlehair said:
Isn't the best way to combat intolerance, homophobia, racism, etc. to integrate with people and change attitudes? I don't know what anyone expects to achieve by trying to shut Saudi Arabia off from the world. Always find that attitude odd.

Also not sure what the point is in singling out Henderson for his PR LGBT virtue signalling when the entire England squad and in fact pretty much entire fecking country was at it less than a year ago during the world cup. LGBT rights were super important until it meant an England player might get booked for supporting them, or until it would have meant not watching the world cup.

Its a bit ironic to call him a hypocrit as well given how picky and choosy people are about when this is an issue.
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There is literally no chance Jordan Henderson will have even the slightest effect in changing the stance on LGBT issues in Saudi Arabia. I very much doubt he will even try.

Re England, yes this is one of many examples of modern day football players being totally vapid and self serving.

He is a hypocrite though isn't he? Also those people who you are talking about. Have they been as loud in their public support of LGBT rights as Henderson has? I think that is why he is getting highlighted.

He's basked in a hell of a lot of praise for being an ally for a long time. The criticism is thoroughly deserved, especially when it comes from those in the communities he claimed he supported.
 
JB7 said:
You haven't answered the question though. Are we now saying it would be better for him never to have spoken to/for LGBT people, and by extension that it would be better for footballers to not get involved with positive causes if there is a chance one day they may do something which contradicts that cause?
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It would be better if he didn't make choices that contradict it.

I'd imagine a lot of people in the LGBT community would say that they would rather he just kept his mouth shut if he was going to do this at the first opportunity.
 
Players like Henderson, Gerrard Xavi etc help wash the reputation while doing absolutely feck all in changing intolerant attitudes. Same thing as the rebel cricket tours in South Africa. These players help legitimise in exchange for bags of cash.

If you are happy to receive your paycheck while standing on the necks of oppressed people, then cool for you, but you are a piece of shit and people are allowed to say it. Doubly so if you've previously exploited the same - or adjacent - community for personal reputation points.
 
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adexkola said:
Are you shocked at the inconsistency? Aren't they hypocrites for taking "blood money" from a transfer, while posting in support of LGBT rights? Someone will be along to mutter whataboutism in a bit.
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Actually I am not to be honest but just pointing out the obvious .
 
RobinLFC said:
But that's the thing, he explicitly voiced those views when it was convenient for him, when he was in a comfortable position and when it got him some very good PR without any hassle. If you really are invested in this cause, like he made us believe he was, then you wouldn't go to play in Saudi Arabia for all the money in the world.

I get that it's purely a business decision, I'm not criticizing the move per se, I'm just saying in this thread that he shouldn't have bothered to go public with all those LGBTQI+ statements if he doesn't feel that strongly about them anyway (which he clearly doesn't, given this move). That's what makes him a hypocrite for me, not the move as such - there's plenty of footballers right now choosing for money over all else and I don't necessarily blame them for that.
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He is indeed an absolute hypocrite, yes.

It's like people sat in the Sir King Kenny Stand booing the national anthem. Much worse, but cut from the same cloth.

dumbo said:
Players like Henderson, Gerrard Xavi etc help wash the reputation while doing absolutely feck all in changing intolerant attitudes. Same thing as the rebel cricket tours in South Africa. These players help legitimise in exchange for bags of cash.

If you are happy to receive your paycheck while standing on the necks of oppressed people, then cool for you, but you are a piece of shit and people are allowed to say it. Doubly so if you've previously exploited the same - or adjacent - community for personal reputation points.
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Correct.

Bastian said:
Are the same people slagging him off who want Saudi to take Telles and Bailly off our hands (and Marital too if possible)?
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The people screaming for those transfers don't care about human rights, just as the pro-Qatar element of our support don't, either.

Regulus Arcturus Black said:
Do we?
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We do not.

HBFSTR00 said:
Perhaps they could be a bit more thankful for what he did for them in the past instead of being ungrateful to him now. It’s his life and everyone should respect his decision.
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No, we shouldn't. We aren't obliged to respect anything.
 
dumbo said:
If you are happy to receive your paycheck while standing on the necks of oppressed people, then cool for you, but you are a piece of shit and people are allowed to say it. Doubly so if you've previously exploited the same - or adjacent - community for personal reputation points.
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Absolutely.

dumbo said:
Players like Henderson, Gerrard Xavi etc help wash the reputation while doing absolutely feck all in changing intolerant attitudes. Same thing as the rebel cricket tours in South Africa. These players help legitimise in exchange for bags of cash.
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I don't think they're legitimising anything. They are all has-beens and it's obvious that their moves are all about money and has nothing to do with these issues. Same way the rebel cricket tours were made up of former internationals and minnow nations who only went there for the money. Also the fact that they're still called "rebel" tours suggests that no legitimacy was gained in the process.
 
JB7 said:
So are we now saying that footballers shouldn't get involved in positive causes if they one day intend to live in a country that disagrees with such causes? So essentially it's better for footballers to do/say nothing because they put themselves at risk of future criticism?
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I am not saying what anyone should do. I am saying why he gets more criticism than f.ex Telles.
And rightly so.
He feels the extra money is worth the criticism he gets, and worth not beeing able to be taken serious when speaking on LGBT issues again. Nobody is forcing him to go there.
 
BerryBerryShrew said:
Being absolutely fair, plenty of Scousers are giving the traitor lots of stick. In fact, in this very thread, most of the Liverpool fans are explicitly condemning him. Certainly more than some of the United fans in this thread (the usual suspects), who are probably too busy lubing up for potential Qatari ownership to see anything wrong with Hendo selling out.
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There are definitely parallels between the two.
 
Bastian said:
Are the same people slagging him off who want Saudi to take Telles and Bailly off our hands (and Marital too if possible)?
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Did those 3 come out as vocally in support of lgbq rights like Henderson?
 
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arnie_ni said:
Did those 3 come into as vocally in support of lgbq rights like Henderson?
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And we arrive at the conclusion that as a footballer, it's best you shut the feck up and ignore any advocacy, because internet folk will judge you otherwise. cf Rashford, who actually put food in the mouths of children.
 
adexkola said:
And we arrive at the conclusion that as a footballer, it's best you shut the feck up and ignore any advocacy, because internet folk will judge you otherwise. cf Rashford, who actually put food in the mouths of children.
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Or.. you could be good people and stand up for what is right?
 
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