Brendon Ayanbadejo responds to delegate on gay marriage

OWINGS MILLS, MD. (USA TODAY) — Brendon Ayanbadejo wants to thank the Maryland legislator who wrote a letter to the Baltimore Ravens condemning the linebacker's support of gay marriage.

"I'd have to thank him more than anything for bringing national attention to the issue," Ayanbadejo said Friday.

The Ravens defender has long been one of pro sports' most vocal athletes for same-sex marriage rights in the U.S. In a letter dated Aug. 29, 2012 and addressed to Ravens owner Steve Biscotti, Emmert C. Burns Jr., a democrat in the Maryland House of Delegates, writes that Ayanbadejo should be silenced.

"I find it inconceivable that one of your players, Mr. Brendon Ayanbadejo, would publicly endorse Same-Sex marriage, specifically as a Ravens football player," Burns writes.

"I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a National Football League Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employees and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions. I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing."

Maryland lawmakers approved in March a measure that would allow same-sex marriage in 2013. The issue will be put to a popular vote this November.

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