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

[Danoff]

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

I'll wait for your response there.

 

[KSaiyu]

....is he any good?



At American Football I mean :/

 

[LeMansAid]

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".

It's a tough one. It is possible that the road to it not being a big deal starts with making it a big deal. But the question must be raised as to what the responsibilities of his job are. I'm quite sure that people playing team sports often keep all manner of things to themselves, for the good of the team, and to fulfill the duties in their job descriptions.

It may be that staying quiet is more like oppression equality than inequality.

 

[Pupik]

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.

I think that's exactly why Michael Sam did it. He certainly didn't do it to move himself up in the draft order - and the richer contract to go with that - by announcing that there might be more of a media circus that will follow him, the team, the organization, the local-yokels themselves, and the inevitable hangers-on...for the next 9-10 months. And after a few weeks, they'll move onto something else.

It's even less plausible that some team will take him on only for the publicity; unless the organization can handle it and the coaching won't put up with any antics. There's always the chance a team might get backlash from a few fans, although I think between the average fan and the rabid devotee, they don't really care (in a focused way) as long as the team is winning.

....is he any good?

He was probably not a first-round pick, from what most experts had said before, but being one of the best defensive players in the Southeastern Conference (which has continually produced lots of future NFL talent), bodes well for his career, moreso than any announcement of his personal life. He'll probably be average at first, because it's more difficult to make the same impact on the professional defensive side of football as a rookie; you're a bit smaller, and you're playing against the best offensive players the world who have more experience and depth.

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.

I recall one speaking out after he retired, mostly because he was annoyed at the late Reggie White's anti-homosexual bible-thumping back in the 1990s. But yeah, name escapes me.

I suppose one day, this won't even be an issue; nothing against the topic, since We're Not There Yet. It's kind of like when someone in film, TV, or music comes out of the closet...I think to myself, "uh, who really cares anymore and why should I"?

 

[Johnnypenso]

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[250 GTO]

That Dale Hansen seems like a smart guy.

 

[TenEightyOne]

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?

Er... most people I've ever worked with? Especially men!

I don't see what difference it makes to the guy personally but I'll be fascinated to see how (or if) it develops as a long-term story in the US media.

 

[Johnnypenso]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&hpt=hp_t3

Combine results are in for Michael Sam. Slow, undersized and weak...it's not looking that bright for Mr. Sam.