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All-American college football player Michael Sam says he is gay

nota bene said:
His Mizzou teammates didn't have a problem, so I hope that his NFL teammates won't either. That is, if coming out doesn't damage his draft chances. Surely, owners are going to be sensitive and politically correct about this. And maybe everybody can get back to football.
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The tweets from current NFL players have been nothing but supportive. I think the fact that no active NFL player has come out has less to do with their teammates and more to do with fear of coaches or management feeling that it would be a distraction, and reacting accordingly.

He'll be known as "the gay guy" for a few weeks, but hopefully eventually he'll just be another player. But I applaud his guts for coming out before he even has a pro contract, and I wish him nothing but the best. And seeing the highlights of him, I'd take him on the Bills, even though Buffalo is loaded at D-line.
 
How do they deal with sexual harrasment and attraction now? We seperate mens and womens bathrooms because of the possibility of attraction and harrasment, and privacy. Will gay players need seperate facilities (even from each other) because of the possibility of harrasment?
 
iacardsfan said:
This should not be considered news. I am all for gay rights. I have nothing in any way against this young man being true about himself. But it shouldn't matter. The media has no business here. Yes, he is gay. Yes, he might be the first active gay NFL player if drafted. But that does not make him any different. We need to stop polarizing this argument by making it so in your face.
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Thankfully, there will come a time where it will be ho-hum not newsworthy.
 
If he can play the game well enough to be a draft choice, then his sexual orientation shouldn't matter to anyone but his Partner.
 
Actually there have been players saying things like they don't want to be checked out by a gay man in the showers.

The issue of his sexuality was not something he was going to share but something a journalist was going to reveal. That said he wanted to get ahead of the story with the combine a week away. He is a solid 3rd-5th round guy because of his size, but being a 1st All-American and a defensive player of the year it will be something if he doesn't wind up in a camp regardless of sexuality but people will pass on him if there is a player of equal potential on the board because of the media circus it will likely cause. Some owner, and I am guessing it will be someone like Jim Irsay or Robert Kraft, will give him a shot.

Now if it disrupts the locker room then he will be gone. That is a fact, because unless you can play great at that level, then it won't be worth it. If a player with Andrew Luck skills were gay, they would still be a 1st rounder.
 
apdst said:
Who wants to bet this dude's chances of being a first round draft pick were slim and none, yesterday?

Like that basketball cat that came out of the closet. He'll NEVER get cut, now.
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Well, Jason Collins didn't play this year. He was a free agent and nobody signed him (yet at least). I'm not saying it's because he's gay, but obviously they aren't afraid not to hire him. To hear your version of things, you'd think they were lining up with $20 million contracts.

So because the guy isn't a first round draft pick, it doesn't count?
 
Kobie said:
1. Sam wasn't going to be a first-rounder. He's projected as a mid-round pick, depending on the picking team's need. He's a solid lineman, strong as an ox but a little slow off the snap.

2. I assume you mean Jason Collins as the "basketball cat." He's out of the league. Largely because he was never that good.
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Collins was a fine player and played for many years. Nobody's ever going to confuse him with Jordan, but he was a good backup to have on the bench.
 
Wouldn't be surprised if the Falcons pick him. He would probably have to transition to linebacker, but they need that pass rush desperately.
 
Jredbaron96 said:
Wouldn't be surprised if the Falcons pick him. He would probably have to transition to linebacker, but they need that pass rush desperately.
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[Waiting for the awkward moment when he's got close man-to-man coverage on a tight end. Troy Aikman: "Sam was all over that tight end."]
 
iacardsfan said:
This should not be considered news. I am all for gay rights. I have nothing in any way against this young man being true about himself. But it shouldn't matter. The media has no business here. Yes, he is gay. Yes, he might be the first active gay NFL player if drafted. But that does not make him any different. We need to stop polarizing this argument by making it so in your face.
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DA60 said:
Unfortunately, it IS big news in sports...and just maybe for gay men/women as well.

In the entire history of the NFL, which is by far the most lucrative sports league in America (over 115 million watched the Super Bowl)...no active player has ever come out.

This could begin to break down the barrier for gay athletes in high profile, professional sports...especially in America.

I don't think this is earth-shattering...but I do think it is definitely newsworthy.
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10-1 one...THIS issue, the "It's NEWS!" issue is what is actually going to hurt him in terms of draft position, making a team, and sticking in the league. Not the issue of him being gay. The very fact that this is "News" news, not "Sports" news. The fact it's getting coverage outside the sport section of newspapers, likely will get coverage on Fox and CNN, will get talked about in magazines and other forms of media that aren't sports related....that's what's going to hurt him.

Prior to this, he had a 3rd to 5th round grade (Note, every year there are plenty of guys with such a grade that go undrafted). Most likely he'd come in as a backup at best for the start of camp. However, because of your likely backup converted OLB you're going to have a "Tebow-esque" type of media prescense around your training camp. You're going to be having reporters not just from ESPN or the sports page, but from all other forms of news media as well. You're going to be having an entire storyline whipping around your camp that has NOTHING to really do with football and NOTHING to do with the vast majority of players on your team. This is not something that the majority of teams want.

If I was the GM of my team at the moment there's no way I draft this guy unless it's in the LATE rounds for great value, and even then I think about it. Why? Because I don't want my team having an unncessary additional distraction. I'm in the business of winning football games, not causing social change. I don't need my training camp becoming a political hotbed. I don't need my coach being asked midseason about a backup player, or potentially being grilled because said backup player isn't on the field, etc. Could he end up being a good player? Absolutely! I wouldn't be shocked if he is. But there's a lot of potentially good players, and a lot that don't come with the same potential distraction.

Note, the distraction I'm talking about is not that "he's gay". While there could be some issues in a locker room because of that, it wouldn't worry me as much as a GM as long as I felt the guy could handle standard NFL ribbing (something I'd want to be sure ANY player could handle. I recognize that the lockerroom is a very different environment and setting then what most people are used to, and in some ways needs to be). The distraction is the media attention...the idea of IT'S NEWS, the constant attempt to politicize it and turn it into a thing greater than the game...THAT's what I'd avoid. Again, I'm not saying that attention is misplaced or wrong...but it IS something that would reduce his appeal to me as a GM of the Skins.

If the kid was the #1 rated OLB in the draft...a Von Miller type for instance...then you'd be more apt to take the risk of the distraction for the reward of a potential starter and impact player. THOSE types of players are hard to find. But a 3rd to 5th rounder talent that's just converting to OLB and will probably be a backup unless he just utterly shocks you? That type of player can be found without the distraction attached.

NOW, on the flip side...in the NFL it only takes one team to make it happen. Maybe there IS a team with an ownership group that wants to make a political stand, or that thinks any publicizity and attention is good for them regardless of it's affect on the product, or that just think their infastructure is sound enough to handle the issue. New England would be a PRIME location for instance.
 
rocket88 said:
[Waiting for the awkward moment when he's got close man-to-man coverage on a tight end. Troy Aikman: "Sam was all over that tight end."]
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Personally, I'd love to have a player who already has good experience in handling balls.








Had to be done.
 
Zyphlin said:
10-1 one...THIS issue, the "It's NEWS!" issue is what is actually going to hurt him in terms of draft position, making a team, and sticking in the league. Not the issue of him being gay. The very fact that this is "News" news, not "Sports" news. The fact it's getting coverage outside the sport section of newspapers, likely will get coverage on Fox and CNN, will get talked about in magazines and other forms of media that aren't sports related....that's what's going to hurt him.

Prior to this, he had a 3rd to 5th round grade (Note, every year there are plenty of guys with such a grade that go undrafted). Most likely he'd come in as a backup at best for the start of camp. However, because of your likely backup converted OLB you're going to have a "Tebow-esque" type of media prescense around your training camp. You're going to be having reporters not just from ESPN or the sports page, but from all other forms of news media as well. You're going to be having an entire storyline whipping around your camp that has NOTHING to really do with football and NOTHING to do with the vast majority of players on your team. This is not something that the majority of teams want.

If I was the GM of my team at the moment there's no way I draft this guy unless it's in the LATE rounds for great value, and even then I think about it. Why? Because I don't want my team having an unncessary additional distraction. I'm in the business of winning football games, not causing social change. I don't need my training camp becoming a political hotbed. I don't need my coach being asked midseason about a backup player, or potentially being grilled because said backup player isn't on the field, etc. Could he end up being a good player? Absolutely! I wouldn't be shocked if he is. But there's a lot of potentially good players, and a lot that don't come with the same potential distraction.

Note, the distraction I'm talking about is not that "he's gay". While there could be some issues in a locker room because of that, it wouldn't worry me as much as a GM as long as I felt the guy could handle standard NFL ribbing (something I'd want to be sure ANY player could handle. I recognize that the lockerroom is a very different environment and setting then what most people are used to, and in some ways needs to be). The distraction is the media attention...the idea of IT'S NEWS, the constant attempt to politicize it and turn it into a thing greater than the game...THAT's what I'd avoid. Again, I'm not saying that attention is misplaced or wrong...but it IS something that would reduce his appeal to me as a GM of the Skins.

If the kid was the #1 rated OLB in the draft...a Von Miller type for instance...then you'd be more apt to take the risk of the distraction for the reward of a potential starter and impact player. THOSE types of players are hard to find. But a 3rd to 5th rounder talent that's just converting to OLB and will probably be a backup unless he just utterly shocks you? That type of player can be found without the distraction attached.

NOW, on the flip side...in the NFL it only takes one team to make it happen. Maybe there IS a team with an ownership group that wants to make a political stand, or that thinks any publicizity and attention is good for them regardless of it's affect on the product, or that just think their infastructure is sound enough to handle the issue. New England would be a PRIME location for instance.
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That is how you would run a team.

Not me.

I would definitely draft this guy as early as my scouts could stomach it.

The NFL is not a sport...it is a business in the form of a sport. It is about entertainment...not winning. The Washington Redskins are (apparently) the most valuable franchise in the NFL...and they have sucked for many, many years.

My team already appeals to the sports lovers. That market is saturated.

But drafting this guy will win me a whole bunch of fans and kudos from groups that previously had little love for football.

I will get great press and help my community profile greatly.

And at what cost...practically nothing...a mid-low draft pick.

Win-win.


Additionally, I personally would love to be the GM of the first NFL team to draft an openly gay player...if for no other reason then to help the complete acceptance of LGBT's into society.
 
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DA60 said:
That is how you would run a team.

Not me.
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Indeed. I'd run a team based of football decisions.

You'd run a team built off marketing and political decisions.

You're right, the Redskins are one of the most valuable franchises in all of sports. I've seen first hand for two decades what a focus on marketting and profits do. It's not pretty. Note, I've spoken as what I'd do as a GM, not an owner. Owners definitely, money is the key component for most. A GM...it's winning, because winning keeps you employed.

But like I said, it only takes one meddlesome owner or one activist GM like you who believes that their team can do it when others can't to grab the kid...which is why it may very well not hurt him. "It only takes one" is a common thought when it comes to the draft. But I think for the vast majority of teams the RESPONSE to this revelation, rather than the revelation itself, is going to hurt him a bit.

And I can't blame a team for that...anymore than I can blame a team for not wanting to have Tim Tebow as their 3rd string quarterback.

You would want to play the marketting and political activism game and that'd be your right. I'd run my football team based around the notion of winning football games.
 
Zyphlin said:
10-1 one...THIS issue, the "It's NEWS!" issue is what is actually going to hurt him in terms of draft position, making a team, and sticking in the league. Not the issue of him being gay. The very fact that this is "News" news, not "Sports" news. The fact it's getting coverage outside the sport section of newspapers, likely will get coverage on Fox and CNN, will get talked about in magazines and other forms of media that aren't sports related....that's what's going to hurt him.

Prior to this, he had a 3rd to 5th round grade (Note, every year there are plenty of guys with such a grade that go undrafted). Most likely he'd come in as a backup at best for the start of camp. However, because of your likely backup converted OLB you're going to have a "Tebow-esque" type of media prescense around your training camp. You're going to be having reporters not just from ESPN or the sports page, but from all other forms of news media as well. You're going to be having an entire storyline whipping around your camp that has NOTHING to really do with football and NOTHING to do with the vast majority of players on your team. This is not something that the majority of teams want.

If I was the GM of my team at the moment there's no way I draft this guy unless it's in the LATE rounds for great value, and even then I think about it. Why? Because I don't want my team having an unncessary additional distraction. I'm in the business of winning football games, not causing social change. I don't need my training camp becoming a political hotbed. I don't need my coach being asked midseason about a backup player, or potentially being grilled because said backup player isn't on the field, etc. Could he end up being a good player? Absolutely! I wouldn't be shocked if he is. But there's a lot of potentially good players, and a lot that don't come with the same potential distraction.

Note, the distraction I'm talking about is not that "he's gay". While there could be some issues in a locker room because of that, it wouldn't worry me as much as a GM as long as I felt the guy could handle standard NFL ribbing (something I'd want to be sure ANY player could handle. I recognize that the lockerroom is a very different environment and setting then what most people are used to, and in some ways needs to be). The distraction is the media attention...the idea of IT'S NEWS, the constant attempt to politicize it and turn it into a thing greater than the game...THAT's what I'd avoid. Again, I'm not saying that attention is misplaced or wrong...but it IS something that would reduce his appeal to me as a GM of the Skins.

If the kid was the #1 rated OLB in the draft...a Von Miller type for instance...then you'd be more apt to take the risk of the distraction for the reward of a potential starter and impact player. THOSE types of players are hard to find. But a 3rd to 5th rounder talent that's just converting to OLB and will probably be a backup unless he just utterly shocks you? That type of player can be found without the distraction attached.

NOW, on the flip side...in the NFL it only takes one team to make it happen. Maybe there IS a team with an ownership group that wants to make a political stand, or that thinks any publicizity and attention is good for them regardless of it's affect on the product, or that just think their infastructure is sound enough to handle the issue. New England would be a PRIME location for instance.
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Two things:

1) His college teammates knew he was gay. These things have a habit of "coming out" in the media. If he were drafted not knowing that and it suddenly hit the press....

2) While guys of his talent level go undrafted, sometimes they go on to make the Pro Bowl (Vontaze Burfict, for example). Think it wouldn't hit the news if a Pro Bowler hit the gay bars in Honolulu?

It's better that they know going into this than to have to deal with the distractions later. You know it would be huge news after the fact. Now it's out there, and it's done. "OK he's gay, now let's play football."
 
Zyphlin said:
Indeed. I'd run a team based of football decisions.

You'd run a team built off marketing and political decisions.

You're right, the Redskins are one of the most valuable franchises in all of sports. I've seen first hand for two decades what a focus on marketting and profits do. It's not pretty. Note, I've spoken as what I'd do as a GM, not an owner. Owners definitely, money is the key component for most. A GM...it's winning, because winning keeps you employed.

But like I said, it only takes one meddlesome owner or one activist GM like you who believes that their team can do it when others can't to grab the kid...which is why it may very well not hurt him. "It only takes one" is a common thought when it comes to the draft. But I think for the vast majority of teams the RESPONSE to this revelation, rather than the revelation itself, is going to hurt him a bit.

And I can't blame a team for that...anymore than I can blame a team for not wanting to have Tim Tebow as their 3rd string quarterback.

You would want to play the marketting and political activism game and that'd be your right. I'd run my football team based around the notion of winning football games.
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Not really. I would want to balance the two.

I am not talking about drafting this guy higher then he deserves. I am talking about drafting him where my scouts tell me he deserves to be.

And you talk about it distracting the team?

I happen to believe that this would be no negative distraction at all. Sure, the idiots in the locker room won't like it...but they will adjust. And if they don't, they are gone (like that semi-whacko in Miami). But I think this type of extremist view will be the vast minority. Sure football players can be pretty out there on some things...but they are human and will adjust and be better for it.


Also, the massive pluses for community support (remember, the NFL has huge political tax exemptions and stadium perks from local/state/national politicians...it is VERY important that they have a good image) are incalculable.

Additionally, I would feel better about myself and sleep better at night knowing I helped this cause move forward.

Any NFL G.M. is probably already a millionaire...they don't need to sacrifice their morals/ethics to feed their families.

And if drafting this guy gets me fired...so be it.

I could DEFINITELY live with that.
 
I always read these "break news" reports and picture the announcement starting something like this:

"OK, everyone please be seated, I have some VERY important news to tell you about what I do with my genitalia..."

And then I laugh and move on because who cares?
 
apdst said:
Who wants to bet this dude's chances of being a first round draft pick were slim and none, yesterday?

Like that basketball cat that came out of the closet. He'll NEVER get cut, now.
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prior to yesterday, this guy was predicted to go in the 2nd or 3rd round.

and, FWIW, Jason Colins did get cut at the end of last season and no one else wanted him. The difference is, this guy can actually play. he was SEC defensive player of the year, all american, etc.

Jason Colins was nothing more than a bench warmer who was called in on occasion to rough someone up in the middle.
 
rocket88 said:
Collins was a fine player and played for many years. Nobody's ever going to confuse him with Jordan, but he was a good backup to have on the bench.
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Colins was a "journeyman" backup center. couldn't shoot very well, couldn't rebound very well. His biggest asset was his ability to foul people and make them think twice about driving the lane. 12 years in the league with 5-6 different teams and never was a starter anywhere. At 36 y/o, and his already average stats declining, he just isn't very valuable as a player any more. It has nothing to do with him coming out as gay.
 
Sababa said:
By the way Jason Collins, near the end of his career, doesn't have a job anymore after coming out gay. No one picked up his contract.
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Collins coming out was like Elton John coming out
 
Kobie said:
The tweets from current NFL players have been nothing but supportive.
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They kind of have to. Anyone that comes out with negative remarks will likely face a **** storm from both the public and management.
 
Dr. Chuckles said:
Collins coming out was like Elton John coming out
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maybe I'm just too cynical, but I think Colins coming out was a calculated move on his part to remain semi-relevant. Dude wasn't ever very good to begin with, he knew his career was basically over but by "coming out" he could get a little more attention and then when he failed to land a contract he could always cry that it was because he is gay.
 
HonestJoe said:
Too true ;) . A player simply being gay doesn't come close to any kind of sexual harassment. If anything, another player objecting to the simple presence of the gay player would be closer. Sexual harassment requires some kind of specific acts to apply.

It shouldn't be anyone's concern but it clearly is. Anyone known to be or suspected of being homosexual will be treated differently (usually worse) in environments such as the NFL.

As for stating it, directly you might have a point but the fact is sexuality isn't hidden unless you're forced to do so (which nobody should). You chat with colleagues, talk about what you did at the weekend ("Went to dinner with my wife"), which actors or singers you like ("Madonna used to be hot but she really let herself go." or have simple crossover with your life ("I need a weeks leave for my wedding."). Without actively working to hide it, your sexuality is likely to become apparent over time. Add in the media attention of NFL players and there would be no way to live an free and normal life without your sexuality becoming apparent.

As long as "football player is gay" is considered newsworthy, I think it's perfectly valid for a gay player (or potential player) to state their sexuality and get the "news" out of the way and focus on their job.

Anyway, given your attitude on the sexual harassment element, don't you think it would be preferable for homosexual players to be known rather than hidden and secretive? Unless, of course, you think they should just be banned from playing professional sports at all.
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I agree with everything that you say here. My comment had more to do with the state of sexual harassment laws which give all their power to someone who wants to make a point. And all it takes is for one homophobic player who wants to make a point to file a complaint. If the country is as homophobic as many think, it seems possible.
I suspect that there have been gay athletes in locker rooms for years only it was only known about by a few people. It is different when a player is ridiculed by his non-athlete friends with jokes about being naked with the gay guy because it is public knowledge.
 
OscarB63 said:
Colins was a "journeyman" backup center. couldn't shoot very well, couldn't rebound very well. His biggest asset was his ability to foul people and make them think twice about driving the lane. 12 years in the league with 5-6 different teams and never was a starter anywhere. At 36 y/o, and his already average stats declining, he just isn't very valuable as a player any more. It has nothing to do with him coming out as gay.
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I didn't say it was about him being gay. I'm just saying that the characterization of "was never all that good" is not entirely true. For 12 years he was at least good enough to be on someone's bench, and if he wasn't at least a little good he never would have played that long. The fact that he can't get a call now probably does have a lot more to do with his age and price than anything else, but 5 years ago he probably would have gay or not. That's at least a little good.
 
Sam has a very shrewd agent.
 
rocket88 said:
I didn't say it was about him being gay. I'm just saying that the characterization of "was never all that good" is not entirely true. For 12 years he was at least good enough to be on someone's bench, and if he wasn't at least a little good he never would have played that long. The fact that he can't get a call now probably does have a lot more to do with his age and price than anything else, but 5 years ago he probably would have gay or not. That's at least a little good.
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anyone who can play in the NBA is at least "a little good", compared to the average person. But compared to other NBA players, Colins was mediocre at best.
 
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