ESPN's Broussard Stands By Anti-Gay Comments

(CBS) In the aftermath of NBA center Jason Collins publicly coming out of the closet on Monday, many sports pundits offered their views on homosexuality.

ESPN basketball analyst Chris Broussard sparked debate after he shared his take on religion and homosexuality.

"I'm a Christian," Broussard said on ESPN's Outside The Lines. "I don't agree with homosexuality. I think it's a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is.... If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be ... that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ."

After withstanding a firestorm of criticism, Broussard released the following statement:

"(Monday) on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today's news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA."

ESPN also released a statement on the events:

"We regret that a respectful discussion of personal viewpoints became a distraction from today's news. ESPN is fully committed to diversity and welcomes Jason Collins' announcement."

Watch Broussard on OTL below.

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