Pride Marshal John Amaechi

June 22, 2007

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Who could better to lead a parade of party happy gays than a 6’10 mass of masculinity? Talk about breaking down stereotypes. We’ll see such a sight this Sunday in Chicago for the Windy City’s annual Gay Pride Parade.

Ex-NBA basketball player John Amaechi, probably the most well known out athlete in existence, has agreed to serve as grand marshal for the Chicago Gay Pride Parade (June 24), expected to attract more than 400,000 viewers and participants, according to WindyCitymediagroup.com.

Despite being extended an invitation to grand marshal parades in Los Angeles and Utah, John chose Chicago from the pack, a city for whose basketball team (the Chicago Bulls) he once played for but has always been an unfamiliar town.

“To be honest, I’ve never really spent a lot of time in Chicago. I’ve never been to Boystown; I’ve never hung out there. In fact, I think it’s ridiculous that I’ve lived in this country this long, been almost everywhere, yet never explored Chicago or Boystown. So it’s actually like a strange city for me,” Amaechi said. “Chicago is going to be a totally new experience for me, and it’s going to be terrifying now that I know there will be 400,000 (attendees_).”

What we love about John -- all 6’10 of him -- is his modesty and intelligence, not something you’d associate with many pro athletes. He was even a little worried about executing his Pride Parade duties:

“I wasn’t sure I was Grand Marshal material; I don’t know if I’m quite ‘fun enough or exuberant enough,’ but I definitely am honored by the request. It’s something I’m really looking forward to,” he said. “I guess I need to perfect my royal wave,” he said, laughing. “It’s exciting, but a complete unknown to me. I’m hoping I just going to get caught up in the moment, and hopefully not embarrass myself.”

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