An openly gay British rugby commentator is trying his best to keep his announcing skills up to par, even as sporting events in the United Kingdom have been canceled due to the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
With no sports matches scheduled, Nick Heath, a commentator from the South London district of Tooting, has turned instead to narrating everyday activities of people practicing social distancing — everything from dog owners walking their beloved pets to pedestrians crossing a busy street.
The short videos, posted to his social media accounts, have garnered thousands of views and are being praised by his fellow countrymen for providing some cheer during a somber and uncertain time.
“The reaction’s been incredible, people seem to be wanting a moment of levity during these pretty unprecedented times,” Heath told CNN Sport.
“I’ve had hundreds, if not probably thousands of messages from people who are finding this time pretty difficult, whether they’re frontline key workers, health workers, people anxious about loved ones, and they’re just enjoying having a belly laugh about something very, very silly,” he added.
Heath, who had been slated to cover the Women’s Six Nations rugby tournament in February and March before the final rounds of the tournament were postponed due to the threat of COVID-19, says he takes pride in bringing joy to his fellow countrymen.
For instance, he was thanked and praised by a woman featured in a clip he posted showing a spaniel chasing a ball.
“She said she had what she thinks was the COVID-19 coronavirus, she’d been feeling rough for a few weeks and that was her first walk outside in that time with her dog,” he said, “and I happened to catch it and have a bit of fun with it and she said she loved it and it was the first time that she’d laughed in a good couple of weeks.”
While Heath isn’t the only broadcaster producing life commentary clips in lieu of sporting events, he has received financial support from some members of the public who appreciate his videos.
“I’ve seen my livelihood disappear before me … I said if you can spare the price of a beer or the price of a coffee then that would mean an awful lot,” he told CNN. “And a number of people have. While I was wondering where the income stream would be coming from, I have managed to get a few quid in and it might just help go towards the mortgage payments for a month or two.”
Prior to the COVID-19-related shutdowns, Heath had gained attention for responding to anti-gay comments made by Australian rugby player Israel Folau, who had said that various sinners, including “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, [and] idolators” were going to hell. In response, Heath posted a video to Twitter in which he said: “There’s one on that list that isn’t a choice.”
“By putting homosexuality on this list, [Folau is] saying that being gay is a sin that you should repent for, and that ultimately is going to cause harm to hundreds of thousands of millions of people,” Heath said. “If you can’t see that, then I don’t even know where to start.”
As a gay rugby commentator, I’ve had enough of God-fearing athletes telling me I need to repent for my sins. 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/vindiAUdBF
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been promoted to senior adviser to President Joe Biden, becoming the first active press secretary to hold that title.
"Karine has been a trusted advisor to the President and all of us here at the White House since day one," Jeff Zients, Biden's chief of staff, told ABC News. "Her counsel will be critical to get as much done as possible for the American people in the coming months."
Jean-Pierre made history in 2022 when she was tapped to replace Jen Psaki as press secretary, becoming the first Black woman and the first openly gay person to hold the position of the White House's chief spokesperson.
Arad Winwin, a model and content creator best known for his work in gay adult films, received backlash on social media for sharing posts expressing support for President-elect Donald Trump and opposition to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
In the run-up to this year's election, the 34-year-old gay man shared various memes attacking Harris, Biden, and Democratic surrogates while championing Trump. He also shared a racist meme questioning Harris's ethnic and racial background.
The day after the election, Winwin shared a post including an image from the Daily Patriot Report.
A gay Holocaust survivor is comparing former President Donald Trump's autocratic tendencies and propaganda tactics to former Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
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An openly gay British rugby commentator is trying his best to keep his announcing skills up to par, even as sporting events in the United Kingdom have been canceled due to the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
With no sports matches scheduled, Nick Heath, a commentator from the South London district of Tooting, has turned instead to narrating everyday activities of people practicing social distancing — everything from dog owners walking their beloved pets to pedestrians crossing a busy street.
The short videos, posted to his social media accounts, have garnered thousands of views and are being praised by his fellow countrymen for providing some cheer during a somber and uncertain time.
“The reaction’s been incredible, people seem to be wanting a moment of levity during these pretty unprecedented times,” Heath told CNN Sport.
“I’ve had hundreds, if not probably thousands of messages from people who are finding this time pretty difficult, whether they’re frontline key workers, health workers, people anxious about loved ones, and they’re just enjoying having a belly laugh about something very, very silly,” he added.
Heath, who had been slated to cover the Women’s Six Nations rugby tournament in February and March before the final rounds of the tournament were postponed due to the threat of COVID-19, says he takes pride in bringing joy to his fellow countrymen.
For instance, he was thanked and praised by a woman featured in a clip he posted showing a spaniel chasing a ball.
“She said she had what she thinks was the COVID-19 coronavirus, she’d been feeling rough for a few weeks and that was her first walk outside in that time with her dog,” he said, “and I happened to catch it and have a bit of fun with it and she said she loved it and it was the first time that she’d laughed in a good couple of weeks.”
While Heath isn’t the only broadcaster producing life commentary clips in lieu of sporting events, he has received financial support from some members of the public who appreciate his videos.
“I’ve seen my livelihood disappear before me … I said if you can spare the price of a beer or the price of a coffee then that would mean an awful lot,” he told CNN. “And a number of people have. While I was wondering where the income stream would be coming from, I have managed to get a few quid in and it might just help go towards the mortgage payments for a month or two.”
Prior to the COVID-19-related shutdowns, Heath had gained attention for responding to anti-gay comments made by Australian rugby player Israel Folau, who had said that various sinners, including “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, [and] idolators” were going to hell. In response, Heath posted a video to Twitter in which he said: “There’s one on that list that isn’t a choice.”
“By putting homosexuality on this list, [Folau is] saying that being gay is a sin that you should repent for, and that ultimately is going to cause harm to hundreds of thousands of millions of people,” Heath said. “If you can’t see that, then I don’t even know where to start.”
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