Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith replied positively to a reporter’s question about whether pro football was ready to accept an openly gay player.

“We don’t get into people’s personal lives in that way,” the coach responded. “We judge players based on one thing. Can they play football? If you can play football, you can get into the locker room.”

At the same time, opposing coach Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts was the honored guest at a fundraiser by the Indiana Family Institute, a group that lobbies against same-sex marriage and the rights of gay people to adopt children in that state.

In February, few former teammates, opponents and coaches embraced the admission by former NBA player John Amaechi that he is gay.

All-star forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacted by criticizing gay athletes who remain in the closet as “untrustworthy.”

Philadelphia Sixers forward Shavlik Randolph said he would accept a gay teammate “as long as you don’t bring your gayness on me.”

Amaechi was the sixth professional male athlete from one of the three major U.S. sports — football, basketball and baseball — to openly discuss his homosexuality. Each waited until retirement.