World
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Brendan Burke, the 21-year-old son of Toronto Maple Leafs manager Brian Burke, died in a two-car accident in Indiana Friday afternoon, the Huffington Post reports. Burke came to national attention last year when an ESPN.com story profiled his coming out and his father's and family's acceptance of his sexual orientation.
Burke, who was an assistant on the University of Miami (Ohio) hockey team, was reportedly driving east on a snow-covered U.S. 35 in a Jeep Grand Cherokee when his vehicle slid sideways into an oncoming 1997 Ford Truck, the Richmond (Ind.) Palladium-Item reports. Burke's passenger, 18-year-old Mark Reedy, also died in the accident.
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star tweeted the following:
"Oh my goodness, what awful news. Brian Burke's son, Brendan, was killed in a car accident in Indiana today. Huge prayers to the family.
Brendan Burke courageous young man. Came out in ESPN.com story earlier this year. Hoped to have a career in hockey. So sad.
Brendan Burke was just 21 years old. His 18-year-old friend, a passenger in the car, was also killed in treacherous, snowy conditions."
In the ESPN.com story, Burke expressed gratitude for his family's and team's acceptance of his sexual orientation: "Imagine if I was in the opposite situation, with a family that wouldn't accept me, working for a sports team where I knew I couldn't come out because I'd be fired or ostracized," he said. "People in that situation deserve to know that they can feel safe, that sports isn't all homophobic and that there are plenty of people in sports who accept people for who they are."
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
60 wild photos from Folsom Street East that prove New York City knows how to play
June 21 2024 12:25 PM
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
Latest Stories
Gay adult star gets called out after coming out as a Trump supporter
November 09 2024 11:04 AM
Jury acquits Maryland man who shot and killed transgender woman Meghan Riley Lewis
November 09 2024 10:00 AM
Crisis calls from LGBTQ+ youth spiked by 700 percent after Election Day
November 09 2024 9:00 AM
Dorothy Allison, revered and award-winning lesbian feminist author, has died
November 09 2024 7:29 AM
Sarah McBride opens up on MSNBC about her win and what she's up against in Congress
November 08 2024 7:16 PM
Judge rules the military must cover gender-affirming surgery for members' dependents
November 08 2024 6:16 PM
After a dark week, we can all use some light and love from Shirley MacLaine
November 08 2024 4:15 PM
Beloved gay DJ and hairstyist dies less than two weeks after violent robbery in D.C.
November 08 2024 3:46 PM
12 Maryland college students arrested in alleged Grindr hate crime video attack
November 08 2024 3:40 PM
No, Elon Musk's trans daughter Vivian Wilson isn't 'dead' — but he's dead to her
November 08 2024 12:51 PM
2025 Grammy nominations for the gays: Pop girls battle for gold
November 08 2024 12:34 PM
Poland’s dark history with far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ government should be a warning to Americans
November 08 2024 11:11 AM