Baltimore Ravens’ Torrey Smith: ‘Look at this queen’ remark not homophobic

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith is catching heat for posting an alleged anti-gay slur on his Twitter and Instagram accounts Friday, but insists the remark was not homophobic.

Next to an Instagram photo of an unidentified man wearing pink socks (below), Smith posted: “Look at this queen.” He followed up with a Twitter post, linking back to the same Instagram photo.

The posts were first reported by TMZ.com, and in response, Smith is standing his ground.

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“The things these gossip sites do to get attention smh,” he later tweeted. “I wasn’t being offensive nor am I homophobic not apologizing or taking it down.”

Smith’s remarks come just one day after former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe alleged that he was fired from because of his outspoken support of marriage equality, and amid ongoing perception of widespread homophobia among NFL players and coaches.

To date, no active NFL player has ever come out as gay.