It's a large part of the problem actually. I grew up with fundamentalist Christians that took the bible literally. No one knew quite what to make of Allen when he first showed up at Stone Bridge midway through his freshman year. Jonathan focused on improving his craft and trying to outwork everybody. Hi, I stumbled across this blog yesterday and decided to comment. I too am coming into this late. "Every one kind of stops there if they haven't seen it before and know Jon went here," said Ben West, Allen's high school basketball coach. Not once did I ever change how I fell about them. The judge found the children were "educationally neglected." There is no defending kicking a son out for being gay at the age of 18. He might be a spoiled prick of a son instead of what he claims to be.If he was disowned then he surely did something with himself despite that, but if he wasn't, he deserves to be judged for what he is, not a homosexual, but a disgraceful son.His parents don't have a voice in this story just yet, Seething Mom. Hi, I'm Luis from Portugal.I'm straight and have 4 kids.For me being gay is not a problem, I work with both straight and gay people and some of each are very nice people and some of each are terrible "people", no matter they are gay or straight.One of my kids is a gifted boy and his life hasn't been easy many times because he's different.To be gay, to be gifted, to be black, to be short, when you are different from the rest of the people you live with, family, society, school, job, you are always mistreated because of your difference.But in this particular case I have a question for all of you:Would your attitude be different if he, instead of saying he was kicked out because he's gay, said he has been kicked out because he stole money from his parents and he stole his father's truck?Sometimes people can be very cynical.To be gay is acceptable for today's societies because it is politically correct to say and act like that.Would people say the same if someone said he was a pedophile? Our world is based on judgement, certainly not love and respect. The boy with such a voice was sent by God and that's all what matters. NBC Singer Jonathan Allen opened up on America's Got Talent about how singing helped him through a really difficult time in his life. I have two children and could no imagine kicking my child out of my home for being gay, no more than I would kick him out for telling a lie, or cheating on his partner. This week I talked with 21-year-old singer Jonathan Allen, who touched our hearts singing his way into the semifinals on America's Got Talent. How many sacks does . whether or not there is another side to Johnathons story it doesn't matter the fact is his parents kicked him out and no matter what he does that does not give you the right to disown him.BTW I am 16 years old i supported my friend through a part time job in case anybody was wondering. With a background in engineering and a love for all things active, Sanjib brings a unique perspective to the world of sports writing. And like you Elna, I cannot imagine any scenario in which I would kick any of my children out. "It was what it was," he said. A custody battle ensued between Allen's father and mother. I was fortunate when I began my own "coming out" process, as my parents & family all attended a very Fundamentalist Christian church, that they didn't kick me out. . Janet, thank you for the great letter. All things evolve and it's time for religion, to either catch up, or die out. The openly gay opera singer, who made it to the semi-finals on the eighth season of America's Got Talent, debuted the track last week, describing it as an "LGBT liberation song." Since appearing on AGT in 2013, Allen has been living and working in Albuquerque. One day they will. This year she just started med school and the other two are in successful relationships and jobs. Jonathan Allen(Source: Wikimedia Commons). No where in the Bible does it say that just because you are gay, bisexual, a thief, liar, or adulterer that you are unloved. Appalling they can't accept the child 'they created"! To defend their actions is plain despicable and a great many of you ought to be a shamed of yourselves, and I truly pray that many of you anonymous posters attacking Jonathan relentlessly and defending the parents never have children as you clearly have no hearts. Why haven't we had contact with her? But during his first seven-on-seven drills that winter, Stone Bridge coach Mickey Thompson saw a 6-foot-3, 185-pound kid who was dropping passes and had issues with his footwork. Does not matter anymore what his parents did. I find it curious how lost people get on the subject of the Christianity vs homosexuality; and it's on both sides. These people are down right scarey. The actions of some teenagers - and some of us so-called "grown-ups" too - can be selfish, careless, thoughtless and even heartless acts. I believe God made me and other gay people for his own reasons, maybe to test our strengths. ESPN reported Allen called the Huskies "sorry" at halftime, a statement he denied making. Allenwho is poised to cover the 2016 presidential campaignrecently published HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton with coauthor Amie Parnes. Thompson compared it to the time in high school Allen leaped over three personal protectors to block a punt. They are His children, and he loves themalways. But gays should also stop to keep themselves aside. What matters is a loving stepmother, Traci Allen, who got Jonathan back on track in school to catch up with his age group. Before you jump on the bashing bandwagon you need to make sure you know what you are talking about. I highly doubt God came down and spoke exclusively with King James. Not in my experience or the experience of so many of the people who have come and commented on this page. Learn how your comment data is processed. But on the off-chance that you and Anon#1's accusations hold some bit of truth (again, posting anonymously and providing nothing but indignation are not enough to prove anything), I will address this issue on the front page. Maybe they regret it now, maybe not. I told them I've got the best player that's probably ever played here. Similarly, his starring performances got him the fifth-year option on his contract in April 2020. And my gut tells me that Jonathan Allen's sexual orientation probably played a big role in his parents decision to throw him out. And as far as feeling ashamed about your feelings of indifference towards gay people - I'd far prefer that to the hatred and judgment that has wounded so many. My husband and I had to grapple with our son's new reality when he came out, but never in our wildest dreams would we have thrown him out to fend for himself. Allens income source is primarily as a football player. Also remember judge not lest you be judged for you will be judged in the same manner that you judge another! Does Daniil Medvedev Have A Brother? I do not have a religious moral code that guides me to feel empathy for those whose actions are guided by a delusional belief in supernatural powers. What's happening in their bed is their business, and I accept their partner as my own friends, I don't care if it's a boy or a girl. But West also remembers how Allen reacted after Stone Bridge lost a game on a controversial finish and one of his teammates angrily tried to hunt down the referee. One would think Christians don't falsify events. I'm an ex-christian for at least 40 years now. Let me start by saying that i am a very proud Christian, and while I believe that homosexuality is a sin, it is not my place to judge anyone their sins as I have plenty of my own. And they came out as gay as teenagers and young adults. Because I'm not going to take something so polarizing at face value. Having 6 children and each with a different personality and path in life these comments I find interesting. My parents - as was said by someone else here recently - disagreed with the fact that I am same-gender oriented (my choice of words, even as young as a 16 y/o), yet always let me know that I was/am loved by them, regardless. Some of his plays were freakish, such as running 30 yards to chase down a ball-carrier or blowing up option runs at each stage of the play. Jonathan Allen with his father, stepmother and two younger siblings. If counseling and therapy prove unsuccessful, then certain options may become necessary, especially once they are a legal adult. If not God has certainly blessed Jonathan with millions of supporters around the world that has brought him great healing. But I'd go just a bit farther and say that no child should have to grow up with what we grew up with. He skipped leaving early for the NFL in 2015 to become the first Alabama player with a national defensive player of the year award. This distinction is in my opinion why homosexuality should not be an issue, and why I feel sympathy and support for gays. Cuz I work on them. However. as a parent that is placing a roof over their heads past the age of 18 it was MY rules or move. But the past shows how Allen reached this point. Your perspective is invaluable. ), not forgetting the promiscuous sex life. I once asked her if she believed that AIDS was God's punishment for homosexuals, her answer - "absolutely". My parents went to their graves, distanced from All their children in the end.They missed out on the wonderful adults we became, and all to please a God they never saw or spoke to. Richard III said he hopes his brother's new fame can help them find their mother. You bring up some very valid points and have given me good reason to stop and think. I would never have dreamed of disowning him, regardless of any circumstances, choices, mistakes, or preferences in his life. Richard said he focused on educating his children because he knows the statistics. We are all disgusted by you peoples. We give birth to our children and bring them up in the best way that we can. Even negative attention beat none at all. And that ladies and gentleman is why God made his adoptive parents barren. I know there are many who come to this blog just because they cannot get the love and understanding from their parents, but they know they can come here for it. You are right Anon, being gay should not define Jonathan, but if I were going to be cynical here, I'd say that maybe the show did see a guy with talent, who has a sad story to tell, and a villain(s). Allen was drafted by Washington in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. I am a Christian. Thompson said his relationship with Allen wasn't always the smoothest because he coached him hard. Thompson couldn't believe how often Allen spun correctly into a running back or quarterback at the precise moment needed. Its a talent competion, not an autobiography. Welcome Minx. When your children "act out", when they start "loosing the way" GET HELP FOR THEM and make it your life mission to understand and get to know your child. God loves us all. in social or sexual behavior. Before we get technically and picky, I would like to remain anonymous for various reasons.This summer I turned 18, and due to my parents' religious beliefs, they couldn't accept the fact that I was gay. But if there is another side of this story, and I am sure there is, now would be a good time for the parents to come out and tell it. My named is Lori I am 49 years old and have had no family contact since my family discovered I was a lesbian 30 years ago. Though raised in a very conservative Catholic home I was fortunate for my father who was from Europe and taught me that everyone is the same. Then-Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, now coaching the Atlanta Falcons, spent a lot of time recruiting Allen in Virginia. Now my parents are catholic and my dad is ex military and told me storys as a kid how him and his buds use to beat up "fags" !! And in the sense that gays make up a small percentage of the population, I will agree that their attraction to the same sex does deviate from that of the straight population. Josh's parents instilled work ethic in their children by encouraging them to participate in cultivating their 2000-acre farm. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. I am struck by the cruel irony of being a surviving parent who would give the remaining years of his life for just one more day with his son while other parents choose to discard their children like they are trash. There are many who respect and celebrate differences. Hi Tom, thank you for stopping by and commenting. I dare not speak of my own experiences, only out of fear of even MORE rejection from other Christians, and the church world (at large). And when challenged, zie merely deflects.Here's the thing, anon, Allen went on national television and said everything he said with his name attached to it. You never replace your mom, even though my stepmom, I love her to death. We have had our fair share of trolls who do not like hearing anything positive about membersof the glbt community. Opponents and fans quickly became aware of Allen. Tensions began on the Washington Football Team after Jonathan Allen broke into a fight with Daron Payne. Genealogy profile for Jonathan Allen Jonathan Allen (1780 - 1815) - Genealogy Genealogy for Jonathan Allen (1780 - 1815) family tree on Geni, with over 240 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. Hi Anon, thank you for commenting. So if my son turn gay, I would not agree, but it would not make me love him any less. dear seething mom, thank you for your blog. Now a human having sex with a Martian, that's a different subject!! I had no idea when I wrote this post that it was going to be such a lightening rod for controversy. Your story has some parallels with my son's story. I refused. Is there any evidence at all that Jonathan spoke 100% truth about what he said? California parents charged with abusing 10 children 01:56. Or yes, you're a christian and are convinced homosexual acts are immoral, but do you really condemn homosexuals themselves? That's my mom. But expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler went too far. I am very curiious about the parents as well. He's one win away from a second straight national championship. But more important, for the only life we are absolutely sure of here on earth, Spare us the wrath of this God's followers.Frankly it amazes me that this conversation is necessary in 2013, but it does seem that recent events has brought this all to a head.I think it's definitely time we deal with reality and this never ending campaign against homosexuals.And only religion can do this, ultimately, because it is where it originated after all.I grew up having no voice, and I was an obedient child, who acted out in similar ways to this young man. And that means I love unconditionally. I could blow my knee out -- knock on wood -- and never play another down of football. He is also completely estranged from his siblings.There are scars that will never go away. 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide footballconsensus national champions, Southeastern Conference Football Player of the Year, Washington Commanders first-round draft picks, Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders, 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship, "Why Nick Saban loves Jonathan Allen so much", "How my father prepared me for life and the NFL", "Allen's message to kids in foster care: 'Don't let this define you', "Stone Bridge's Jonathan Allen named the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year", "Stone Bridge DL Jonathan Allen, a two-time All-Met, commits to Alabama over Florida", "Nation's top defensive end Jonathan Allen commits to Alabama", "Jonathan Allen significantly bigger, adding to Alabama's versatility along defensive line", "Alabama holds off Clemson 45-40 for national title", "Could shoulder concerns drop Alabama's Jonathan Allen to Redskins? Maybe This young man Jonathan did wrong things, maybe he has a loving, supporting parents. Payne and Allen were teammates at Alabama, which means that they have a history beyond just their years in Washington. [24][25], On July 27, 2021, Allen signed a four-year contract extension worth $72 million. You stick by your children no matter what, or don't raise them. If this ends up creating problems for you, please let me know and I will take the private info out.And lastly, you are a wonderful dad, your son was so blessed to have you, and I can imagine that seeing this amazing and talented young man, Jonathan, tell his story must have been especially painful for you. Amen to that Melinda E. and welcome. "My brother was my protector, so I try to be the brother to my little siblings that he was to me. if his parents want to keep their privacy and not comment then so be it. That commitment, in the eyes of God, is lifelong, not with an eighteen year expiration date. But because it has been, I do believe we all need to step back, take a breath and see what comes out. rGod said be my witness, not judges of anybody. No supportive parent deserve to be maligned in this way if the story is totally bogus, but my guess is Jonathan's story is complex and not as black and white as I may have interpreted it or you are trying to paint it. "Our stepmom really became a great figure for both of us," Richard III said. So i never plan to.tell them becuase they would probably do the exact same as this guys parents did!!! You can believe he is an angel all you like, but we all know the truth. The 2023 NFL Draft has ended, with 259 players hearing their names called over the past three days. I may not be gay, but I have a son who is and I love him so much it hurts. "He would take control of games and speed would be why. Please don't be confused as to where I stand on disowning your children. Thank you for your lovely words of wisdom. You can believe whatever makes it easier for you. When they learned Allen needed shoulder surgery to fix a torn labrum, his grade changed to second or third round. I think we all know there is almost always two sides to a story. But I am sorry, you have been misinformed. The Fairfield Police Department arrested Rogers' 29-year-old husband Jonathan Michael Allen on Friday after a six-week investigation. wow Timothy, you are pretty angry. True or not, his point hit home for me in recent years with the realization that the (subjective) experience is irrelevant when there's politics involved. I came out after I was out of my families control, which is probably a good thing. West said Allen simply smiled and then fans stuck around afterward to meet him and get a photo. In fact, the Alabama-born has already started to garner NFL awards, courtesy of his outstanding performances. She found a note to a childhood friend explaining how we could not go on doing the homosexual things we were doing because God did not like it.At the point of receiving the knowledge, my mother gathered 3 leaders of the Faith to come exorcise the "Demons of Homosexuality" out of my body.Long story short, My mother, to her death bed, denied any wrong doing and was adamant about not answering questions about her behavior towards me after realizing she could do nothing to change my sexual orientation. However, he was soon diagnosed with arthritis in one of his shoulders. I am a Christian, and I don't believe the bible condemns homosexuals, it condemns homosexual acts. Allen and his father considered the pros and cons of going to Alabama. I was brought up Christian but the type that went to church and didn't live it outside of church. In response to some of the comments and allegations: Though taking your parents vehicle without permission is not stellar behaviour it is usually not considered stealing (in the eyes of the law) as by residing in the home you have access to the keys (you didnt steal them) . Jonathan Allens jersey number is 93 for the Washington Football team. And it is also where you join the ignorant and uninformed. I just think a parent should be fully aware that opting to disown a child can have permanent results. And the brawl between two of their players is another fuss for them to answer. Your comment brought tears to my eyes.I know many loving Christians who share your sentiments, but sadly I know quite a few who don't. How tall is Jonathan Allen? I just think that I still have a lot to learn.I'm young, I still have a lot to go through, but I feel that I can express myself in this blog because of the similarities that Jonathan and I have. The . I guess that everyone should make a step in the right direction. NOTHING could be further from the truth. However, the two were separated by three teammates with the help of coach Sam Mills Jr. After everything settled down, both players finished the game and ensured it was nothing but a brotherly disagreement. And I am still not seeing any reason to NOT believe Jonathan, so I until I do see proof, I have nothing more to say on the subject. Allen, born in Alabama, and his brother, Richard Allen III, were initially raised by their mother after their parents divorced when Jonathan was 3. And yes, he did do everything the previous anon said he did. You are so right. Washington coach Ron Rivera stated that it all stemmed from the frustration of the three-game losing streak and more. My son has never been in trouble with the law, but if he was I would try to help him. CCTV footage showed Snow College student Madelyn leaving her dorms in Ephraim, Utah on December 13, and the next morning she messaged parents Jonathan and Taunya Allen, saying she loved them.. Yes, his parents did kick him out for being gay. "I wanted to make sure even though my dad wasn't there, I was there for Jonathan and being the best big brother I can be. [32], In Week 1 of the 2022 season, he recorded three tackles and a sack. An incredibly small number of football players ever play in college, much less the NFL. I recently had a conversation with a 'Christian' woman who made horrible uncouth remarks about the LGBT community saying it was a disgusting lifestyle to choose, so I asked her when in her life did she choose to be straight ? God says. loves those as you would love yourself. !Thank you Kim for caring AND this blog! Not sure when I look at how we all behave, being his fruit and all? But there's nothing like your mom, you know?". [33] Allen recorded his first career interception on Justin Fields and first career forced fumble in the Week 6 win over the Chicago Bears. I'm never wrong. This is not the way a follower of Jesus should behave. Life is about to get faster for Allen, who graduated in December with a degree in financial planning. You have found a kindred spirit with me. I warn you however that he has a point: you cannot reasonably draw the line between what you call sexually deviant and Gay. As a freshman at the University of Alabama in 2013, he played 13 games and made 16 tackles. I would love to. He achieved this during the Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021. I do not "act" straight. 'Buzz' Allen. I cannot speak for others, but I dream of the day when being gay is a non-issue and more people are indifferent to who other people are attracted to. But he just wanted to be with everybody, and since he was there, he worked, which I appreciated.". And what is politically correct is NOT that you can say you are gay or "act like that", but that society can now accept that being gay is just as normal as being straight and that people are simply born that way.You say: "Would people say the same if someone said he was a pedophile? To this day, I still keep that in the back of my mind. Poor mama, this blog's keeping you busy. Otherwise, I will repeat, as I have to all of the others who have shared your anger or doubts about Jonathan's story, if it comes out that we've all been duped, I will be the first one to apologize and beg forgiveness. Born in Silver Spring, Md., Jon attended St. Mary's College in Southern Maryland, where he played baseball, and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1998. No matter who the first two anons were, they were stating facts and that is no reason to attack them and call them a liar seeing as you are clueless as far as this topic goes. "I asked him once why he was even doing this. YouTube is a scary world full of people who will stop at nothing to keep sabotaging those they want to sabotage. His career stats show that Allen has a promising future. He is an extremely talented entertainer regardless of his "background". He got his start in journalism as a copy editor and fill-in reporter with the Prince William Journal in Manassas, Va. I will remain unconvinced until I hear from a reliable source that Jonathan's story is a complete lie. Jonathan Allen played 16 games last season and 85 games over his career. I suppose you and I were on the same page to begin with so I knew exactly what you were saying. The victims range in age from 4 months to 12 years; their father, Jonathan Allen, has been charged with felony torture and child abuse. If Jonathan lost, he would practice and challenge his brother to compete against him again. [36] Due to his own personal experience with the foster care system, Allen chose to work with Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a homeless shelter that focuses on helping young people in the Washington, D.C. area find safe homes.[37][2]. After hearing his story, I found the courage to come out to my parents, which resulted in me being kicked out on my birthday. He didn't bash his parents he said he loved them very much and just wanted them to accept him. Beautifully stated. Richard especially stressed to his son an answer NBA legend Larry Bird once gave a reporter when asked what made him so great. [15], The Washington Redskins selected Allen in the first round, 17th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft. Lori, my heart broke reading your comment. Like you, I have a gay son whom I love with all my heart. Jonathan kept his grades up, though at one point in high school, his grades slipped and his dad threatened to remove him from the team. "We started bringing him off the edge. You you don't see anyone trying trying to find out how much money, assets or "bling" rappers actually have. "I said, 'You know, that's a very risky move you did because if the quarterback took a step to the right or a step to the left, you'll look pretty stupid,'" Richard said. Along with his professional career, the NFL star has also progressed much in his personal life. Well it is that hard to believe that conservative parents do that in America today? I praised my daughter often for the courage she had to not just address middle school and high school drama as a straight person but as bi with not giving one rats ass what anyone thought!