Michael Sam came out and said that he was gay to the public on February 9th on ESPN's "Outside The Lines" to Chris Connelly. He had told his teammates back in August in 2013, he is one of the first openly gay collegiate football players.
There have been different reactions to this, but the amount of support he has received is amazing, from his college teammates to NFL players and teams and also NFL all time greats such as Deion Sanders. To me this shows the NFL is ready for an openly gay player, players such as Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams have come out in support.
One thing players have said is that they do not care about his orientation, they have said as long as he can help them win then that is all they care about. Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Denver Broncos executive John Elway have also come out in support of Michael as well.
How do I think this could turn out in the NFL?
To begin I think that he will be accepted in the locker room of an NFL team based on the reactions and support that he has received. While I think some players and executives in the NFL may look at him as the gay player and teammate that he will play well. He does not want to be known as the gay guy, and I agree with him, as long as he produces that is all that counts. So what if a gay player records 15 sacks in a season, all that matters is that he was able to do so.
I think this will also generate buzz because sadly some teams may pass on him in the draft in the early rounds if he falls that far because they may be afraid of how he will affect a locker room. Well clearly he did not affect the Missouri locker room, his teammates have said they care about him and will protect him, so that shows how much people care about him.
I almost feel like he could be the Jackie Robinson for gays in the NFL, call my crazy but that is who he will be in my eyes. He can be a hero and role model to many people who are both fans and non-fans of the NFL simply because he came out and is not afraid of it.
I think he will make a positive influence in any locker room, he was strong enough to come out and tell his story before it could be leaked. To me that shows courage which is a trait that is looked upon in the NFL, this will help him in his career.
How do I feel about this?
I am going to support him 100% of the way, I do not care what religion, sex, race or sexual orientation you are, as long as you are a great person that is all that should matter. I hope he does well in the NFL and do so without any sort of fear via his teammates.
Nobody should be remembered for what they look like or their sexual orientation is but rather how they perform their duties and do them well. I think he will play well in the NFL, he did in college so why would his preferences change how he plays?
My final take is also this: if a player has a DUI manslaughter charge on their record (Donte Stallworth), Dog fighting record (Michael Vick) or been accused of sexual assault (Ben Roethlisberger) and they can still play then someone who has not committed a crime like Michael Sam can play as well. (Credit Jon Stewart for making these thoughts on his show).
I agree with what he said on his show which is why I have selected that as my final take, it was in response to those who have said that Sam could be a distraction on NFL teams. Well if a player killed someone and he can play and not be a huge distraction then why is a gay man going to be? He NEVER killed anyone!
If we as Americans can forgive those players it is time to accept gays in the NFL, Sam has been very thankful as well to his supporters. He is showing true bravery as well as being thankful at the same time, I would take him on my teams roster in a second!
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