During his career he played for the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings.

After retiring in 1999, Tuaolo revealed to the public that he is gay, during a 2002 scene of HBO’s Real Sports.

In 2006, he published a book about it titled, Alone in the Trenches: My Life as a Gay Man in the NFL.

Since then, he has been working to decrease homophobia in the NFL by serving as a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Athletics Foundation.

Tuaolo is the third NFL player in history to publicly announce that he is gay.

The university already has suspended McMackin for 30 days without pay. He’s volunteered to take an additional 7 percent pay cut from his $1.1 million salary.

The coach also has apologized for using the gay slur during a media briefing last week at the WAC football preview in Salt Lake City.

The WAC said Monday it reprimanded McMackin for violating the conference’s sportsmanship code. The league says any further violations will result in a minimum one-game suspension.

“Coach McMackin’s comments were clearly offensive, violated the WAC Code, and are not condoned by either Hawaii or the WAC,” WAC commissioner Karl Benson said in a statement.

Benson said he appreciates the quick and decisive actions by Hawaii Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw and athletic director Jim Donovan,” as it has made my job in processing this very unfortunate situation much easier.”

McMackin used the slur during a media briefing at the Western Athletic Conference football preview in Salt Lake City.

After the remark, he uttered it two more times while trying to explain himself. After the briefing, McMackin returned to the reporters and apologized for using the “inappropriate” word.

“What I was trying to do was be funny and it wasn’t funny,” he said, according to a recording of the conversation posted on the Idaho Statesman’s Web site. “It’s not funny. Even more, it isn’t funny to me. I was trying to make a joke and it was a bad choice of words. And I really, really feel bad about it. … It was really stupid.”

The school followed up with a formal statement by McMackin.

“I sincerely apologize for the inappropriate words that I used,” he said in the statement. “My comments were out of character and I have no prejudices against anyone. I’m really upset with myself and I’m truly sorry for my remarks.”

WAC commissioner Karl Benson said McMackin’s offensive comments brought negative publicity to the conference, “at an event where the purpose was to promote the WAC in a positive manner.”

“While his comments clearly violate the WAC Code of Conduct, I will wait until the University of Hawaii determines its course of action before determining what sanctions the WAC may impose,” Benson wrote in an e-mail.

The second-year Warriors coach said he has nothing but respect for the Fighting Irish, who routed the Warriors 49-21 for their first postseason victory in 15 years. McMackin called it the worst loss in his 40 years of coaching.

Hawaii athletic director Jim Donovan, who called Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick to apologize on behalf of the university, said he will meet with McMackin on Friday.

“I’ve conveyed my disappointment to him and he has expressed deep regret for showing such poor judgment,” Donovan said. “Aside from today’s inexcusable statement, coach McMackin has been a steadfast ambassador for the university and the state of Hawaii.”

School chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said she also expressed her disappointment to the coach.

“Hurtful language like this has no place in our community, and particularly not among leaders of our … campus,” said Hinshaw, adding “further steps that will be taken to reaffirm his and our commitment to fair and equal treatment of all.”

Before joining the Warriors, McMackin spent three years with the San Francisco 49ers as associate head coach and linebackers coach under Dennis Erickson from 2003-05. He has also served as defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks and several college programs including Texas Tech, Miami, Navy, Utah and Idaho.

The news of the comments spread fast in the islands where McMackin is widely known as a warm and caring leader who often reaches out to the community.

“I’m repulsed,” said Carolyn Golojuch, a UH alumnus and president of the Oahu chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays.

She said there’s a larger issue at hand with the “atmosphere of fear” in football.

“This goes on all the time. This is not an isolated incident. Football coaches, not just ours, continue to be abusive,” Golojuch said. “Why do professional football players come out of the closet after they retire? Because of fear.”

This is not the first time a Hawaii athletic figure issued an apology for using insensitive language.

Former athletic director Hugh Yoshida said in 2000 that the reason the university switched from its longtime Rainbow logo was in part due to its connection as a symbol for gays and lesbians.

“That logo really put a stigma on our program at times in regards to it’s part of the gay community, their flags and so forth,” Yoshida said then, a day after the current Polynesian-style “H” logo was unveiled.

Yoshida quickly apologized for his comments.

The civil union bill been languishing in committee and the Democratic leadership has been divided on how to get the measure to a vote on the floor.

Now, LGBT rights leaders are proposing a new draft of the bill, adding provisions aimed at making it more acceptable to skittish lawmakers.

The revisions include opening the legislation up to unmarried heterosexual couples. The changes also would explicitly say the bill does not revise the current definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

The new draft would still give couples who enter into civil unions the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as married couples under state law.

The changes will be discussed by Senate Democrats in caucus behind closed doors on Tuesday.

State Sen. Brian Taniguchi (D), chair of the committee where the bill is stalled, told The Honolulu Advertiser that there is some interest in the new bill among senators, though the Senate would have to act by Thursday – the deadline for bills destined for the House.

An altered Senate bill also would have to be approved by the House.

The vote on the legislative maneuver fell three short of the nine required for a full Senate vote. About 18 of the 25 senators had indicated they support civil unions, but they lacked the political willpower to go against Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and most of her leadership team, which opposed the effort.

Hanabusa has supported civil unions but said she didn’t want to override the normal lawmaking process by lifting the bill from its committee, where it had stalled on a tie vote.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Brian Taniguchi said there was still hope that the bill could be amended and revived, but that probably wouldn’t happen until next year.

Dennis Arakaki, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum, applauded the result.

“It affirms the will of the people,” he said. “Senators realized the impact of this issue. They may have been looking for rationale of how they could either avoid the issue or put it to bed.”

Opponents had argued that same-sex civil unions were the same as gay marriage.

Only two states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, allow gay marriage. The Vermont Senate passed a gay marriage bill last week, but Republican Gov. Jim Douglas said Wednesday he would veto it if it lands on his desk.

Nearly 70 percent of Hawaii voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1998 granting the state Legislature the power to reserve marriage for couples of one man and one woman, which it did.

Senate leaders had planned a vote before the full Senate as early as Tuesday, but deep divisions have emerged over whether Democrats should take an extraordinary legislative step to revive the measure after a tie committee vote.

A tie vote in committee usually is enough to kill a measure, but the bill could advance under a rarely used provision of the Hawaii Constitution if more than one-third of senators approve.

The Democratic leadership wants more than half the Senate to agree to put the bill before the full Senate. Some rank-and-file senators who support the bill, however, are unwilling to circumvent the normal legislative process.

The measure already has passed the Hawaii House.

Lawmakers’ hesitation comes after more than 6,000 opponents, most of them from religious groups, rallied against the legislation Feb. 22 at the state Capitol. Civil union supporters planned their own event at the Capitol on Saturday.

“I’m hopeful in the end, the majority can come together and reach a consensus,” said Majority Leader Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kauai-Niihau, who supports civil unions.

If the bill doesn’t come out of committee, the issue may not come up again until near the end of this year’s legislative session in May, or lawmakers could decide to drop the issue entirely.

Legislators could also compromise by approving a watered-down version of civil unions that affirms gay partnerships but reserves some marital rights for heterosexual couples only. That version would permit same-sex couples or family members to enter into a relationship that provides hospital visitation, inheritance and auto insurance benefits but denies adoption and other parental rights. Additional rights such as health and tax benefits could be added.

Sen. Will Espero, who suggested the amendment and would vote against the current civil unions bill, said the compromise means opponents couldn’t argue that civil unions are the same as marriage.

“There’s not a sense of rushing and immediacy. We want to do it properly and in a manner we can all get behind,” said Espero, a Democrat. “We understand how sensitive the issue is.”

Other senators have said amending the bill would ruin its chances of passage because that would open a new round of negotiations in committee.

A compromise also may be untenable to the gay community, said Alan Spector, co-chair of the Family Equality Coalition.

“How does one compromise on equality and civil rights? We’re being asked to accept less than equality,” Spector said.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has not said whether she would veto the bill if it reaches her desk.

Nearly 70 percent of Hawaii voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1998 granting the state Legislature the power to reserve marriage for couples of one man and one woman.

Only two states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, allow gay marriage, while Vermont, New Jersey and New Hampshire allow civil unions. California, Oregon and Washington allow same-sex couples to enter into domestic partnerships.

Last month, after 15 hours of hearings, the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee tied 3-3 on whether to advance the bill to the full Senate.

Senate leaders could move the bill from the committee directly to the Senate floor for a vote if they had nine of the Senate’s 25 members agreeing.

Privately, at least nine senators have told LGBT groups they support the legislation, but are fearful of a voter backlash if they approve the seldom-used maneuver to force a full Senate vote.

That has left Senate leaders with trying to either push for a committee re-vote or get a majority – at least 13 Senators – to agree to move it directly to the full Senate.

Right now it appears there is no consensus on either plan.

Following a caucus Thursday, majority Democrats said they would not rush a Senate decision.

It now appears likely they will wait until work on other bills is finished next week.

The legislation passed the state House last month on a 33 – 17 vote.

The measure would legalize civil unions with all of the benefits, protections and responsibilities of marriage.  It also would allow domestic partnerships entered into in other states where they are legal. Marriages from Massachusetts and Connecticut would be regarded as civil unions.

Under the legislation, same-sex couples would have to obtain a license and then have the civil union performed by a judge, a retired judge or a member of the clergy.

In 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court was the first in the country to rule that barring same-sex marriage could be a violation of the state constitutional protection of equal rights.

In 1997, the Legislature passed a domestic partner law allowing gay couples to register with the state Department of Health. It allowed couples to have rights as reciprocal beneficiaries in hospital visitations, inheritance and property, and the ability to sue for wrongful death.

But in 1998, as calls for same-sex marriage, increased  nearly 70 percent of Hawaii voters passed a constitutional amendment giving the Legislature the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.

After 15 hours of often emotional testimony on Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee met early Wednesday, voting 3-3.

Senate leaders are now faced with mustering enough votes to take the bill from the committee and move it directly to the Senate floor for a vote. One-third of the Senate, or nine of its 25 members, would have to agree to recall the bill. The earliest that would happen would be March 10.  

“There is no question that the caucus supports passing civil-unions legislation,” said state Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser (D) told the Honolulu Advertiser.

“But there is some concern among members about the process, and not wanting to short-circuit the process in our effort to pass what we think is the right thing to do,” added.

The legislation passed the state House earlier this month on a 33 – 17 vote.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has declined to comment on the issue -  if the bill is approved by the Senate it’s unclear whether she would sign or veto the bill.

The measure would legalize civil unions with all of the benefits, protections and responsibilities of marriage.  It also would allow domestic partnerships entered into in other states where they are legal. Marriages from Massachusetts and Connecticut would be regarded as civil unions.

Under the legislation, same-sex couples would have to obtain a license and then have the civil union performed by a judge, a retired judge or a member of the clergy.

In 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court was the first in the country to rule that barring same-sex marriage could be a violation of the state constitutional protection of equal rights.

In 1997, the Legislature passed a domestic partner law allowing gay couples to register with the state Department of Health. It allowed couples to have rights as reciprocal beneficiaries in hospital visitations, inheritance and property, and the ability to sue for wrongful death.

But in 1998 as calls for same-sex marriage increased,  nearly 70 percent of Hawaii voters passed a constitutional amendment giving the legislature the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Japanese-American Elly Matsumura (2nd-R) and her partner of three years Janette Ishida (L) from Hawaii are surrounded by family and friends during their wedding ceremony at the San Francisco City Hall 19 February, 2004

Where there is a gay marriage initiative there are bound to be gay marriage protesters and Hawaii is no exception. The vote in committee today brought out over 2000 protesters with signs getting the word out about our impending trip to hell.

Well, I am completely fine with the condemnation. In fact, if I accept my fate after death can we stop fighting so much in this life?

In Hawaii, the only objection that makes any sense to me is the fact that same-sex workers, with full marriage equality, will be eligible for partner benefits under their employment health care plan. For those who employ gay workers who are also in committed relationships, there may be a slight increase in insurance rates (Hawaii has excellent laws about health care coverage and requires all workers who are in the office 20 hours a week or more be covered by their employer).

This is the same quandary gay people face in every state: how do you reason with an opposition movement that is up in arms about an issue that has practically no effect on their own lives? If God hates gays, he’ll condemn us later, don’t worry, he can handle it on his own. If your marriage is sacred, it will be sacred even after mine is legal.

Even the opposition of racists against integrating washrooms and water fountains had some (if mythical) effect on the lives of those who were so upset about civil rights.

This explains why so much of the anti-gay advertising is based on lies. Gay marriage will not threaten the autonomy of churches, nor will it threaten their tax exempt status (unfortunately). Gay marriage will not effect the curriculum of public or religious schools. It won’t thrust gay relationships into the mainstream any more than they already are. I mean, didn’t anyone see the Oscars?

I have to believe that truth will eventually triumph over ignorance – even in Hawaii which has had an unsuccessful history with gay marriage initiatives. Until then, it is our obligation to continue debunking myths about gay marriage propagated by the religious opposition.

It would become the fifth state to legalize the so-called alternative to gay marriage if the Democrat-dominated Legislature and Republican governor approve a civil union law. The measure was passed by the state House this month but it now faces the Senate, where a divided committee is to vote Tuesday.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has declined to comment on the issue and it’s unclear whether she would veto the bill.

Gay rights organizations argue that civil unions would promote basic equality in the nation’s most ethnically diverse state, but opponents fear the erosion of an island culture that values conventional family ties.

“Society in general is becoming more accepting,” said Suzanne King, a real estate office manager who is raising her 9-year-old daughter, Shylar Young, with her partner of nearly 28 years, Tambry Young. “It’s not unusual to come upon a gay family. There isn’t this fear that by giving us rights, it’s going to reduce the traditional family.”

King and Young said they want a civil union law so gay couples can more easily adopt children, share health benefits and gain hospital visitation rights. They plan to enter into a civil union if the measure becomes law.

Religious groups have been taking out newspaper ads, setting up Web sites and holding rallies urging lawmakers to preserve traditional marriage.

One anti-gay Web site includes photos of two men kissing each other and others apparently in gay pride parades. It warns of a bad influence on Hawaii “keiki,” the Hawaiian word for children.

The Mormon church, which campaigned in California last year for a gay marriage ban, has not openly rallied opposition to civil unions in Hawaii this year. But some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been sharing e-mails urging people to calls their legislators opposing the bill.

“In Hawaii, people still believe in traditional marriage and the sanctity of marriage,” said Dennis Arakaki, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum, which also represents the Hawaii Catholic Conference. “There’s no indication that values or perspectives have changed.”

Several thousand people gathered at the state Capitol on Sunday for a demonstration organized by Arakaki’s group.

Protesters held signs saying “We affirm traditional marriage” and “No to same sex marriage” while listening to speakers in the Capitol’s open-air rotunda. Others signed petitions opposing the bill.

“We’re gathered here because we want our voices heard,” Wayne Cordeiro, senior pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, said to loud cheers from the crowd.

Rally volunteer Julia Sula said she came to the demonstration with 200 to 300 other members of her Waipahu church, the Lighthouse Outreach Center.

“We believe in traditional marriage: a woman to a man. Not `man to a man’ and `woman to a woman,’” said Sula, a 65-year-old retired social worker.

Only Massachusetts and Connecticut allow gay marriage, while Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and New Hampshire allow civil unions. Californians voted in November to overturn a court ruling that allowed gay marriage, but the state still offers domestic partnerships that guarantee the same rights as marriage.

That means Hawaii could become the only Western state to give governmental blessing to same-sex unions.

“Our wedding industry would have a huge potential increase in business purely because there are people who would rather come to the islands rather than go to the East Coast to have a civil union performed,” said the Rev. Mike John Hough of Kauai Island Weddings. “Some people say it’s just marriage by another name, and that may be true. It’s a perfect compromise.”

In 1998, nearly 70 percent of Hawaii voters approved a constitutional amendment granting the state Legislature the power to reserve marriage for opposite-sex couples. The “defense of marriage” amendment, now in more than half of state constitutions, resulted in a law banning gay marriage in Hawaii but left the door open for civil unions.

The amendment negated a 1993 Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that found refusing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples was discriminatory.

Since 1998, Hawaii’s Legislature has considered civil unions several times, most recently in 2007, but the bills never made it out of their committees.

This year, the House Judiciary Committee passed the measure by a 12-0 vote, and the full House approved it 33-17, one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a potential veto.

Attitudes have changed, said state Rep. Blake Oshiro, who sponsored this year’s bill.

“People are more tolerant and accepting of diversity and recognizing the need for equality,” said Oshiro, a Democrat.