Michael Sam - The first openly gay player to enter the NFL draft

[Johnnypenso]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&hpt=hp_t2

I know we have a thread on homosexuality already but I thought this was a specific enough story that it deserved it's own thread. If not...

Say what you want about the whole "gay" issue, but I don't think anyone can deny that Mr. Sam has stones the size of the Rock of Gibraltar! He's putting everything on the line in what could arguably be the most testosterone fueled and macho sport in the entire world. As a professional athlete in any of the major North American team sports takes a mountain of strength, but to do it before he's even drafted, before he has a contract, takes some incredible courage and personal commitment and I think he should be commended for that regardless of how one feels about his sexual orientation.

I think this will be a major milestone on the path to general acceptance of homosexuality in North America. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

[Omnis]

Don't kid yourself. Coming out was the greatest thing Michael Sam ever did for his career. This will have as much impact as the fullback on the Seahawks being the first deaf player. Nobody will know who this guy is in a month or two.

 

[BobK]

Cue "tight end" and "wide receiver" jokes.

 

[Sanji Himura]

That is a bit out of line @BobK. If you want to joke about it, do it at your own time, but do not come on here, while we are discussing a very serious issue about homosexuality and its acceptance in the NFL, and do the same thing.

Yes, I understand that you are trying to make light of the situation, but it is still out of line to joke about someone who is openly gay trying to be a professional athlete like you just did.

 

[BobK]

If someone can't laugh at something they're taking it too seriously.

Personally I really don't see why this is such a big deal. He's gay. He plays football. Why should anybody care about his orientation?

 

[Liquid]

Personally I really don't see why this is such a big deal. He's gay. He plays football. Why should anybody care about his orientation?

Because sports are typically the exclusive domain of burly blokes who burp, drink beer and love titties.

As much as we don't want them to, these barriers exist and the early steps to actively break them down should be applauded. Of course it doesn't matter whether this guy is gay or not, but fair dues for going public about it.

 

[Dotini]

Lots of owners, managers and coaches are looking at how the Seattle Seahawks roto-tilled other teams into submission. It can be appreciated that their incredible team spirit and mutual support had a lot to do with it. Believe it or not, the team routinely takes yoga, communal guided meditation and prayer together. Only one player stood apart, and he was injured and could not play. Owners, managers and coaches are going to try to avoid bringing disruptive influences into otherwise cohesive locker rooms. Due to concussion awareness, winning is no longer the only thing that matters. But it's still the objective of the game.

 

[TRC GeorgiaDawg]

I don't think the guy has "stones" or has done anything worthy of admiration. I've got no problem with gay people. Do what you like. But just like Jason Collins I think this guy, who is a marginal NFL talent at best, has just done it to ensure his future. Now when his football career goes nowhere, it'll be because he's gay. And he'll write a book, and the media will predictably will pile on the bandwagon and make this guy a fortune as some kind of "victim".

And make no mistake. He just lowered his already low draft stock just to become idolized by the leftist/media culture of the world. Ask Tim Tebow how well creating a circus around yourself works in the NFL. A guy who has shown more than enough ability to at the least be a backup QB on alot of teams doesn't have a job. Why? Because of the circus he brings along with him. Noone out there talking about how intolerant some are of his views or crying about Christianophobia. Same thing is about to happen to this guy. This 4th or 5th round talent might have just talked his way out of being drafted completely. Except, of course, when this guy doesn't have a NFL job it'll be because everyone is a homophobe.

 

[Danoff]

Everyone seems to be assuming that he did the right thing by saying that he's gay, but to me his announcement says "Look at me, I'm not a team player". Being an Atheist has been something that I've occasionally tucked under the rug. That's not to say that I've lied about my thoughts, but I don't necessarily get in everyone's face about it and say "deal with it". It makes the religious people that I'm surrounded by at work uncomfortable. Likewise I work with a creationist who tries not to bring it up at work - because he knows it will make everyone uncomfortable.

In fact, how many of you go parading around your places of work talking about your religion? Political affiliation? Sexual position preferences? Income? Size of your bank account? Some information is just not intended for public sharing - I know that's not a popular view with facebook fans - but a lot of these details can make the people around you uncomfortable, and it's generally a good idea to not bring attention to them. You don't have to lie, or hide who you are, but you don't need to put it on a sign and have a press conference either.

The problem is that despite everything I just wrote, I'm 100% confident that the NFL and college football allows a hostile environment toward gay men. It's not a good work environment, and somebody needs to pioneer the way to change that. Public recognition that there are gay athletes in football will help bring that kind of change around. And how can you have that without someone calling attention to their sexuality?

Drafting this guy is going to be tricky. He brings a media circus, he has shown a me-first attitude, and you need to be prepared to create an atmosphere that allows him to flourish. Because you want someone that you invest a draft pick in to do well. If he was trying to improve his draft stock, I don't think he did. If he was trying to ensure himself a career after an NFL flame-out, I don't think he did that the best way he could either. If he was trying to bring about change in the NFL, I don't think this was the best way to do that either. So it's almost certainly a mistake, except for one scenario I can think of.

It's possible (unlikely) that he's announcing this to make sure that the NFL team that selects him knows what it's getting into. They have a heads up about the media circus and the team dynamic, and that's only fair considering that he knows it's coming. If he did this to make sure that he and the team that selects him are on the same page, then in that case I applaud his courage and honesty.

 

[Omnis]

He's the kind of guy that you can tell is a little sweet just from the way he talks though. He had to come out because everyone would've just assumed it anyway.

Better make sure he doesn't wind up being coached by that bigot guy on the Vikings.

 

[Sanji Himura]

I don't think the guy has "stones" or has done anything worthy of admiration. I've got no problem with gay people. Do what you like. But just like Jason Collins I think this guy, who is a marginal NFL talent at best, has just done it to ensure his future. Now when his football career goes nowhere, it'll be because he's gay. And he'll write a book, and the media will predictably will pile on the bandwagon and make this guy a fortune as some kind of "victim".

And make no mistake. He just lowered his already low draft stock just to become idolized by the leftist/media culture of the world. Ask Tim Tebow how well creating a circus around yourself works in the NFL. A guy who has shown more than enough ability to at the least be a backup QB on alot of teams doesn't have a job. Why? Because of the circus he brings along with him. Noone out there talking about how intolerant some are of his views or crying about Christianophobia. Same thing is about to happen to this guy. This 4th or 5th round talent might have just talked his way out of being drafted completely. Except, of course, when this guy doesn't have a NFL job it'll be because everyone is a homophobe.

Oh, so admitting that you are a Christian, a religion that is persecuted in 110 countries world wide, and actively worship on the field warrants something to an extent like that. Lest not forget that when he did start for the Denver Broncos, he not only led the team to the playoffs, but upset the team that many thought would have made the Super Bowl that year, Pittsburgh. Also, let's not forget Tebow was cut by a supposed Christian 24 hours before he signed Manning. How did that worked out for them? Oh, yes, they were on the wrong end of the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history.

 

[BobK]

The only reason this is a big deal at all is because some uptight people are making it a big deal. On both sides.

 

[Danoff]

Oh, so admitting that you are a Christian, a religion that is persecuted in 110 countries world wide, and actively worship on the field warrants something to an extent like that. Lest not forget that when he did start for the Denver Broncos, he not only led the team to the playoffs, but upset the team that many thought would have made the Super Bowl that year, Pittsburgh. Also, let's not forget Tebow was cut by a supposed Christian 24 hours before he signed Manning. How did that worked out for them? Oh, yes, they were on the wrong end of the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history.

Yes I'm sure the Broncos wish they could have Tim Tebow instead of Manning. W... T.... H.....


(They could, btw, have Tim Tebow if they wanted)

 

[Joel]

Yes I'm sure the Broncos wish they could have Tim Tebow instead of Manning. W... T.... H.....


(They could, btw, have Tim Tebow if they wanted)

Bit of a tangent here but a common theme among sports fans I've seen seems to be ignoring the process and being blinded by results and variance.

There is no reasonable argument that the Broncos are better off with a scrub who isn't even in the league anymore instead of a guy who is in the discussion of the best of all time.

 

[McLaren]

I don't think the guy has "stones" or has done anything worthy of admiration. I've got no problem with gay people. Do what you like. But just like Jason Collins I think this guy, who is a marginal NFL talent at best, has just done it to ensure his future. Now when his football career goes nowhere, it'll be because he's gay. And he'll write a book, and the media will predictably will pile on the bandwagon and make this guy a fortune as some kind of "victim".

Agree with this 100%. These players seem to be announcing their orientations as safety nets for when something doesn't go as plan.

I remember the NBA player who came out & within weeks was speculated that he did it in hopes of being picked up out of free agency and the signing team would look favorable in the public eye.

 

[Dotini]

Bit of a tangent here but a common theme among sports fans I've seen seems to be ignoring the process and being blinded by results and variance.

There is no reasonable argument that the Broncos are better off with a scrub who isn't even in the league anymore instead of a guy who is in the discussion of the best of all time.

Manning, a certainty for the Hall of Fame and one of the all-time best quarterbacks in NFL history, completed a Super Bowl record number of forward passes. Yet it meant nothing. His team was mauled by a better organized team. Salting your team with Prima donnas and social experiments is not the formula for success.

 

[Danoff]

Manning, a certainty for the Hall of Fame and one of the all-time best quarterbacks in NFL history, completed a Super Bowl record number of forward passes. Yet it meant nothing. His team was mauled by a better organized team. Salting your team with Prima donnas and social experiments is not the formula for success.

Agreed. Who's the Prima Donna here? I've lost track. Is it Michael Sam or Tim Tebow? Or both.

 

[Dotini]

Agreed. Who's the Prima Donna here? I've lost track. Is it Michael Sam or Tim Tebow? Or both.

Tebow for sure, but Sam also likely an expensive problem.

 

[Joel]

Manning, a certainty for the Hall of Fame and one of the all-time best quarterbacks in NFL history, completed a Super Bowl record number of forward passes. Yet it meant nothing. His team was mauled by a better organized team. Salting your team with Prima donnas and social experiments is not the formula for success.

The Seahawks utter dominance is what I meant by process, it's not about Manning not being clutch or anything, it was just a case of an utterly dominant performance by Seattle. What I was criticizing was Tebowmania after a mediocre season and a lucky playoff run. The team went just as far in the playoffs with Tebow as they did under Manning's first season but it should be clear who the better player is.

I agree though, it's not good to bring prima donnas in to your team but I also feel like there's an element of the media creating stories out of that where there isn't one. There has to be a narrative for everything because the reality (that sometimes the better team loses to what amounts to statistical variance and small samples) doesn't sell many papers.

On topic...I have to agree with the posters before me. There's an angle that he'll blaze the trail for other gay athletes to be less secretive of their sexuality. It's something that I think will be good for the league in the long term (assuming he gets drafted and becomes an active player), but it's not ideal for the team who will draft him. He doesn't seem to be particularly highly touted in the first place and it will create a lot of juicy gossip and media narratives for the team that drafts him, and sports teams generally don't want unnecessary controversies if they can avoid it. Of course it shouldn't be a big deal but the reality is for the first guy it is an aspect of using a draft pick on him.

Imagine he gets drafted and the team he plays for starts 0-4 or something.

 

[cnd01]

Ballsy move by Michael Sam to come out like that; however, the media circus surrounding him now will hurt his draft stock imo. I don't think many owners/gms/coaches would be willing to put a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round pick on him because whichever team that does has ESPN and the rest of the media which inevitably will blow this up. Every player in that locker room will have to answer the "What's it like to have an openly gay teammate?" or "What's your opinion on Michael Sam being the first openly gay NFL player?" It's not fair to the team, the locker room, and it completely isn't fair to Sam. As someone who is proudly heterosexual, I still have respect for him doing what he did; however, imo this will hurt his chances in the NFL not because of his sexual orientation though. It's the distraction of the media circus he brings in that will outweigh his upside. Sam is a damn good player, (co-SEC defensive player of the year) but the distractions will cut his draft stock. I hope he makes it well in the NFL. If he doesn't make it, it's not because he's gay or doesn't have talent. It's because the media will be causing a major distraction that the owner/gm/coach decides isn't worth having Sam

 

[Azuremen]

That is a bit out of line @BobK. If you want to joke about it, do it at your own time, but do not come on here, while we are discussing a very serious issue about homosexuality and its acceptance in the NFL, and do the same thing.

Yes, I understand that you are trying to make light of the situation, but it is still out of line to joke about someone who is openly gay trying to be a professional athlete like you just did.

Touch serious and sensitive, eh? Oh man, lets not make jokes that are funny because they might offend people (on the Internet at that) that take being politically correct far too serious. Your response and tone just continue to draw lines in the sand, and generally the people drawing these lines are the majority (straight, white, etc) as if they feel they need to step in to defend a minority. Which is basically discrimination in a different light.

Besides, as others have said, this is more than likely being announced at this time as a career move. Brilliantly played, mind you, but I think we need to tone down our ideal view of his motivation here.

 

[Zenith]

I'm anything but a fan of football, but don't they hire felons all the time?

 

[Duke]

Oh, so admitting that you are a Christian, a religion that is persecuted in 110 countries world wide...

Wait, WHAT? Christianity is "persecuted" in over half the countries of the world? That's news to me, and probably to most of those countries, as well.

FWIW this guy is not the first self-reported homosexual in the NFL. He's just the first to come out before the draft. There was a player in the '80s who came out as being bisexual. after he was already established as a player. His name escapes me at the moment, however.

 

[Danoff]

As someone who is proudly heterosexual...

Of course you had no choice in the matter, so pride is kinda silly don't you think?

Gay pride is a backlash against gay shame. It's a movement to help gay people to stop being ashamed of what they are. Pride is not the correct term, but they're intentionally backlashing to change the paradigm. Actual pride in being gay is silly, because they had no choice in the matter either.

 

[Boone]

Deleted.

 

[Joel]

If a man is gay and attracted to men, then should he be allowed in a men's locker room? I ask this because men are clearly not allowed in a women's locker room because we're attracted to women. Please explain and discuss why this situation is any different from the social norms we currently abide. With the announcement of this sexual orientation, does this not create an issue of privacy for the men in that locker room? Ignorance of another's sexual orientation is bliss? This is a very delicate issue, I understand. I am open to explanation of the differences.

The locker room isn't a sexualized environment. You take your equipment off, shower, and get dressed. It's no big deal, gay men aren't going to throw themselves on any man they encounter. It only seems to be talked about with men too, there doesn't seem to be the same concern for women playing and showering with lesbians on their teams.

Odds are that every one of these guys has been naked in front of gay men before. I dunno, I've played on probably 15-20 different hockey teams with 15 people on each team, I'm sure at least a few of the guys I've showered in front of over the years are gay. There's like 40 guys on a football team, between high school, college, and professional play that's 120+ teammates without even getting into trades and roster turnover. They've been naked in front of gay men before and somehow it only becomes an issue if they know it.

The men's/women's locker room thing is a bit different, it's something that maybe some day will be changed but right now I think it has more to do with the power differences between the genders and such. I guess the difference comes from when you think about shared showers the concern is that the men will ogle the women, which is pretty reasonable when you consider the higher rates of sexual violence against women, cat calling on the street, etc etc.

 

[Danoff]

The men's/women's locker room thing is a bit different, it's something that maybe some day will be changed but right now I feel it has more to do with the power differences between the genders and such. I guess the difference comes from when you think about shared showers the concern is that the men will ogle the women, which is pretty reasonable when you consider the higher rates of sexual violence against women, cat calling on the street, etc etc.

This is what it comes down to. Bathrooms/locker rooms don't generally involve compulsory public nudity - so it's not a privacy issue. The issue is sexual violence. Men honestly wouldn't care if women were in their bathroom/locker room. Generally it is women who care that men stay out of their bathroom. So I don't think that men will generally have a problem with gay men being in their bathrooms and I don't think that women will generally have a problem with gay women being in their bathrooms.

Edit:

As a guy who has been to a Kylie Minogue concert in west hollywood, I can tell you that I have been in a gay men's bathroom (I figure it was more their bathroom than mine since I was probably the only heterosexual man anywhere nearby). It was... a bit different, but not a problem.

 

[cnd01]

Of course you had no choice in the matter, so pride is kinda silly don't you think?

Gay pride is a backlash against gay shame. It's a movement to help gay people to stop being ashamed of what they are. Pride is not the correct term, but they're intentionally backlashing to change the paradigm. Actual pride in being gay is silly, because they had no choice in the matter either.

Some people would argue to the contrary about not having a choice(playing the devil's advocate here and not trying to start an argument)

My comment was made to show that even though I am not gay, I can respect the courage it took him to come out.

I don't like the media blowing this up into something a lot bigger than it really is. Fact is, there are people of all races, sexual orientations, religions(or lack thereof), etc. that we all encounter everyday. Just because he's the first openly gay player doesn't mean that he's the first nor will he be the last.

 

[Danoff]

Some people would argue to the contrary about not having a choice(playing the devil's advocate here and not trying to start an argument)

When did you decide to be heterosexual?

I understand this isn't necessarily your argument, but that's really all it takes to end the discussion.

 

[cnd01]

When did you decide to be heterosexual?

I understand this isn't necessarily your argument, but that's really all it takes to end the discussion.

I don't completely agree with that, but that's for the homosexuality thread.

Back on topic: ESPN had a roundtable discussion on the issue where former Indianapolis center Jeff Saturday made a great point. His point was that unless the team is mature enough to put up with the extra media attention, the team doesn't need Sam's publicity. Think about it from the perspective of a young player who's barely making the team. If he accidentally says anything with the media there than can be interpreted or twisted as being homophobic, his career is over. The team can't have the bad publicity.