Patrick was literally putting Brad's life in danger. The early 90's were not the same as the 2020s for the LGBTQ community. There were few anonymous support groups, if any at all in certain cities. Homophobia was so rampant that it wasn't even considered a thing, it was "just how things are". Families would disown their own or murder them in honor killings just because they were gay. Homosexuality was treated as a mental disorder. Schools would turn a blind eye to homophobic bullying. It was really a bad time to be gay in the United States. The entire football team at the very least would turn against Brad, ending any opportunity to earn a scholarship. Someone like Brad would have been a high risk for suicide at that point. His family turns against him, the football team turns against him. He clearly isn't comfortable with his identity. Despite being the star quarterback, he does not have enough confidence in himself to stand up for Patrick and Patrick should have known that.
Even if Brad played it off as "hey guys, leave the little guy alone." Teenage boys would have accused him of being gay himself, or at the very least a gay-lover, which was just as bad because it would lead to endless taunting and when his father finds out things would go from bad to worse.
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