Monday, February 10, 2014

Future NFL Player Comes Out As Gay

Michael Sam was the SEC Defensive Player Of The Year last year while playing for Missouri. Over the weekend Michael came out as gay. If he plays for an NFL team he would be the first openly gay player to do so. Michael is expected to be a second or third round draft pick which would almost guarantee him a spot on a team. What is going to be very interesting is if he suddenly slides from that second or third round spot to the much later rounds or not even being drafted. He says he came out because there are rumors about his sexuality out there so wanted to just get it all in public before the draft.

His teammates at Missouri have known for at least a year when he came out to them in a team building exercise. His teammates said they knew long before that but were glad he finally had the courage to come out to them. Last month at an all-star game Michael's agent was asked whether Michael had a girlfriend or if anyone had seen him with women and whether it was possible for Michael to start dating a woman before the NFL Draft. Yeah, they wanted that. If this guy drops lower than the second or third round then you know that the portrait portrayed by the former punter for the Minnesota Vikings of the league and its teams as homophobic is probably true. There would be no other reason not to draft the guy other than his sexuality and it will be interesting to hear the explanations teams give as to why they didn't draft him. I'm guessing it will be things like, "He didn't fit our needs or what we were looking for at that pick."

43 comments:

sandybrook said...

oh here it is the biggest story of the dy. Good luck to him.

Meanie Rhysie said...

C'mon! This is no big deal: football players wear capris and slap each other on the ass!

Good for him and much luck. :)

TalksTooMuch said...

I'm guessing some variation of "locker room poison" but I sincerely hope that things won't go that way. I don't watch a lot of football but I don't remember anyone having to have sex on the field, so it shouldn't matter, right? Maybe in the European leagues...I kid!

Unknown said...

Finally. This took courage. I'll be rooting for whatever team he plays on. He seems like a genuinely great guy.

Howard Schultz-Shameless Profiteer (S.S.!) said...

If he tests well I hope the Hawks draft this guy. We have the right community, and a strong, open locker room, This took more courage and heart than anything he will face on the field. For anyone paying attention that is a warrior's heart. Can't wait to see him knock someone the F... Out.

Total Snark said...

The NFL and Russia - the last vestiges of homophobia. Hey NFL - is this how you want to be known? Good luck to Mr. Sam and good post, Enty.

Seven of Eleven said...

LOL @ Meanie!

Good for him! I can't wait for the day when this isn't even news anymore.

Oh, and Kermie, I can pretty much guarantee you he will not be having "sexy thoughts" in the locker room showers. That's not how it works.

Karen said...

I hope this doesn't hurt his chances or his draft position. It was smart to come out now, though. If he signed with a team, it would be much more difficult for him to come out with pressure from his organization to not do it.

Unfortunately, "locker room poison" is a thing and a reason why some teams won't pick him up. They'd have to be assured that none of their current players would mistreat him (or, at least, that enough open-minded players would keep the others in check). You can always tell when locker room problems spill out onto the field and no one wants that.

Steampunk Jazz said...

Best of luck ( insert rant about player sexual misconduct here) its not like the NFL doesn't have a scandal handle routine all ready to leap into action. Just a little rewording about How their standing behind him and the rest of the speech will work just fine...:-\

Howard Schultz-Shameless Profiteer (S.S.!) said...

If he came out and admitted to theft, drug use, or had a history of beating women it would be more accepted by NFL types. Sad.

Howard Schultz-Shameless Profiteer (S.S.!) said...

If he came out and admitted to theft, drug use, or had a history of beating women it would be more accepted by NFL types. Sad.

Meanie Rhysie said...

So true, and so sad. :(

8====D KermitGossnellKnobjob said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vXbmlOPPoQ

Mark B said...

shouldn't be an issue, but I think it might end up hurting his draft stock.

msgirl said...

Ugh I just made the mistake of reading some Yahoo comments, Yes I do think it will hurt his chances. Because our nation is full of idiots.

BeckyMae said...

Just saw him interviewed and he spoke so eloquently about how his team mates supported him and it just was not an issue with them, which is exactly how it should be in life.

Its just U said...

It's sad that this is news. I personally don't care who anybody sleeps with, as long as its not children or animals.
Good for him though.

Kels said...

Good fit. Seahawks would be a great team for him.

Brian Brown said...

Total Snark said...

The NFL and Russia - the last vestiges of homophobia.


It is a crime under Islamic law to be gay.

Would you like a list of countries that live under Islamic law?

Barton Fink said...

msgirl, never read Yahoo comments on anything! they make Youtube seem refined

gradybridges said...

he's not a 2nd-3rd rounder. He's been projected anywhere from late 3rd to eartly 5th. He is undersized but will make a team. He can rush the passer.

NomNom83 said...

I wish him the best. Some great, supportive, tweets and general comments coming from NFL players and Missouri's Gov. Not the same as getting drafted (we shall see about that), but definitely an opportunity that many are taking to demonstrate their view on it and hopefully help reduce the stigma among fans and the general public.

If front offices can be convinced that this is not a "distracting" issue or problem for their locker-rooms, that will make all the difference.

Very curious to see how this plays out. If he gets drafted, I think the we'll see the coming out of a sitting NFL player (maybe even two) within the year.

Unknown said...

TTM - I watched the movie 42 about Jackie Robinson this weekend so it seems a bit ironic. In some dressing room scenes. Jackie would shower last by himself so he wouldn't offend the players that did not accept him until one of the players who did accept him asked why aren't you showering with the team and convinced him to start. That is how and where change starts.

In this day and age I would be shocked that not every player in the NFL at least knows one person who is gay or even has at least one gay friend.

Sherry said...

Good for him. He seems like a pretty secure guy. And exactly IJU, this shouldn't be news and yet it still is.

NapAssasin said...

He is a huge asset to Mizzou & is one of the main reasons the team was 12 & 2 this year, their first in the SEC. He was also team MVP. i am so proud of my team for supporting him & he has more courage than most twice his age. Draft chances or not he's the first to declare his honest life more important than an organization's BS image. Good for him.

J-Lo said...

Great coomen! Go Seahawks

katiekat said...

While I'm very proud of him for coming out I look forward to the day when this isn't news.

I will cheer for whatever team drafts him.

Rosie riveter said...

The Seahawks would be a great fit, our state is super cool and low key. A lot of great people here and an NFL team that could support him through it. GO HAWKS

Eros said...

I think from a career standpoint it was a dumb decision. Butttt if he thinks that personally its gratifying to come out like that then more power to him. Any team hiring him is going to see him as a potential liability though. Scouts for teams are looking for good solid players with no unnecessary drama in new hires.

feraltart said...

Fantastic that he felt his right to be himself was more important than feeling forced to hide who he is. I too wish this was a non-issue. He will be so much happier for being true to himself, I wish him a wonderful life.

auntliddy said...

I dont see why he has to come out, but whatever. I wish him luck.

Not A Ninny said...

The Hawks don't really need a pass-rushing linebacker, but if he's available in the third or fourth round they might as well draft him for depth. Seattle is one of the few teams/cities where he can go and his orientation would be accepted without being a big deal.

GPS74 said...

@msgirl, Yahoo comments are a cesspool. I think they're only rivaled in distastefulness and ignorance by the bottom-feeders on YouTube.

Sprink said...

I know, right? Between the capris and the shoulder pads, it's a big old Audrey Hepburn meets Joan Crawford--couldn't be any gayer!

(Stereotypes humorously intended.)

Sprink said...

Michael Stipe said it best (I paraphrase): "my sex life is nobody's business, unless they're sitting on my cock."

That aside, it's a huge move to do it now; it's a litmus test of NFL franchises. The draft went from zero to ten for me...

Sprink said...

That last prediction is very possible, @nomnom.

If it's what they want (to come out), I hope this helps.

Truly, though, I'd love to live in a world where this doesn't matter. I appreciate that many are uncomfortable or even disgusted by it, but as long as no one is being abused, coerced, violated, physically or emotionally harmed...and as long as all parties involved are of age and intelligence to decide...then bang away and be a decent human being.

I couldn't care less what floats your boat--be upright, and honest. Avoid treating people poorly.

(That last bit had as much to do with heterosexual relationships as anything else.)

"Oh no. I've said too much. I haven't said enough."

TalksTooMuch said...

Is that you in the corner, Sprink? Or is that you in the.spotlight?

Iknowpeople said...

My niece goes to school with him and says in addition to his football skills, he's a great guy off the field.

Lil P said...

+1 :)

Lil P said...

That's good to hear!

Jaiden_S said...

He's a great player, so any team that drafted him would be getting a good one.

KLM said...

Proud of him. @msgirl - *never* read yahoo comments!! Ever!

RowdyRodimus said...

You know it's a great angle for him, too. If he doesn't get drafted or drafted high enough for his liking, he can sue the NFL for discrimination.

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