Ralph Cindrich · @RalphCindrich
11th Feb 2014 from TwitLonger
Lombardi was aware of tight end Jerry Smith's homosexuality, and upon arriving in Washington, told Smith in confidence that it would never be an issue as long as he was coaching the Redskins. Smith flourished, becoming an integral part of Lombardi's offense, and was voted a First Team All-Pro for the first time in his career, which was also Lombardi's only season as Redskin head coach.[122]Lombardi invited other gay players to training camp, and Lombardi would privately hope they would prove they could earn a spot on the team.[123] At theWashington Redskins training camp in 1969, Ray McDonald was a gay player, with sub-par skills,[124] who was trying to make the Redskin roster again ,[citation needed] but this time with Lombardi as the Redskins' new head coach. Lombardi told running back coach, George Dickson,[125] 'I want you to get on McDonald and work on him and work on him - and if I hear one of you people make reference to his manhood, you'll be out of here before your ass hits the ground.'[126]
SOURCE:
When Pride Still Mattered : A Life Of Vince Lombardi by David Maraniss