OUT OF THE CLOSET … INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
Former University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam is gay. In fact, he’s looking to become the first openly gay player in the National Football League this year.
“I didn’t realize how many people actually knew, and I was afraid that someone would tell or leak something out about me,” Sam told ESPN. “I want to own my truth. … No one else should tell my story but me.”
Sam’s teammates – who say they are “relieved” his story is out – have been keeping his secret since August, which is when Missouri embarked on its wildly successful 2013 season.
Does Sam’s announcement matter? Eh …
To some people it does, but our guess is Sam’s sexual orientation will not figure into the thinking of NFL executives (who no doubt already knew about it). Bottom line: The 6-foot-1, 260-pound defensive lineman is likely a third-to-fourth round draft pick – probably too short to play defensive end as a professional (meaning he’s likely to be converted to linebacker) but certainly the sort of player who can make an impact if he finds the right team/ system/ position.
The 2013 SEC co-defensive player of the year clearly has skills (just ask the University of South Carolina’s offensive line) … it’s just finding the right fit that’s going to be key.
Same goes for any other 6-foot-1, 260 pound collegiate defensive end … gay or straight.
“We admire Michael Sam’s honesty and courage,” the NFL said in a statement. “Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014.”
Again … ho-hum.
We do not believe Sam will be defined in the NFL by his sexual orientation any more than he will be defined by his skin color: We believe he will be defined by whether he can adapt his tremendous natural ability to the rigors of professional competition.
Others aren’t so sure, though … in fact we spoke with one college football fan who indicated they didn’t think NFL locker rooms were ready to welcome an openly gay player.
“I think he’ll be bullied, or even shunned,” the fan predicted. “And that’s a shame. If I were him, I wouldn’t have come out publicly. Not because it’s wrong to be gay, but because the NFL boys can’t handle it.”
Hmmmm … so while Sam’s sexual orientation may not matter to those assessing his abilities, it may matter a great deal to his teammates (and opponents).
All we can hope is that Sam – like any gay American doing any job – is judged on his performance. That’s what equality of opportunity is all about … everything else is just noise.
70 comments
It shouldn’t matter… except when everyone is naked in the locker room.
This is an interesting time we live in. I’m not sure I’d want a gay dood checking me out in the shower. And you know he would. If i was showering in a locker room full of naked women, I’d be tempted to take a peek.
You’re likely not his type.
How would you know?
Is it that you’re afraid that every lustful look will reduce your cache by one, and won’t have any left for Bitichia? Or that your pee-pee tingles and gives you the conflicted and uncomfortable feeling that you’re looking through a gay man’s eyes at your incredible physique?
If only women wanted to stand in awe of our hairy backs and chicken legs while we lathered up our drooping balls in sensual nirvana.
Was Kramer gay?
If i was showering in a locker room full of naked women, I’d be tempted to take a peek.
—
even if they were all fat and ugly without their makeup and body shaping contraptions, had old war wounds and faded tattoos, sagging asses and tits that would fit comfortably in gym socks?
A perv is always a perv…
There’s still a chance – see a professional.
Don’t give up! See a professional… there’s still hope!
I’m not sure many athletic women between the ages of 21 and 37 would look the way you describe.
I was talking about your body now, if you were a woman.
That does reflect my body now.
oh, so you’re a *woman* – my bad.
You bore me son.
Oh yeah? Well, mom, I wasn’t going to mention it, but I get bored listening to you go on and on about your military service!
Why the hell should I care if you want to peek at the other women when you’re taking a shower anyway????
I was listening to NPR yesterday and they had a NFL scout saying he was probably a late rounder and it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility that he would not be drafted before he came out. Then, the NPR propaganda machine picked up with every other person coming on saying “let’s talk about just how good this young man is.”
He’s good, but the media is trying to build him up into some sort of superman so if he doesn’t get drafted, they can all cry about how he was discriminated against because he was gay.
I know when I want sporting news, my first choice is NPR.
Really not sporting news, sport. This guy is looking for a lawsuit opportunity, the chance to be branded 1st at something and who knows what else. Ain’t about football.
Well thank *you* for blowing my cover, asshole!
LOL! We got a live one!
I was listening to NPR yesterday
——
I heard that would make you liberal.. at the very least, gay.
I would, certainly, be careful.
I listened to it yesterday… is it too late to do something?
Prolly…
I went to Cabella’s and bought 12 AR-15’s, a pallet of dried beans 14 glocks, 10 pallets of .233 and 4 pallets of Chinese made 9mm… I subscribed to soldier of fortune, Rush Limbaugh’s newsletter, and set all the AM stations on both selection sets in the car to right-wing radio hosts… and I’m meeting a guy later today about buying his hummer.
I hope this offsets it, because there’s no room in the garage for my car.
It’s a start….
Any suggestions?
what do you do.. like if it’s on somewhere, and you’re exposed accidentally?
Rent a suite in a Vegas hotel. Obsessively-compulsively disinfect everything. Use kleenex boxes for slippers. Stay there with almost no human contact for several years. Save urine in gallon jugs. Allow only Sarah Palin and Phillip Branton to bring food…and always from a randomly chosen Subway restuarant. Except on Thursdays when Dukes BBQ is delivered by dwarves. etc.
In other words, the same thing anyone else would.
but… but… I already do all of those things…
Hire an assistant named “Smithers”, aquire some hounds, carve some model airplanes out of wood…and you should be fine.
model airplanes out of wood? Are you making this up?
His Hummer or his hummer? Either way,make sure you get a good one.
Interesting that the owners who finance and market the teams have embraced him as well as the players who must perform and win games. They have such a diametric take on the issue as opposed to the middle-aged and older Neanderthals on the coaching staffs and management teams.
One commentator noted that some teams could be leaking the “distraction” issues in order to make other NFL teams disinterested, which could get the team that leaked the distraction issue to get Sam at a better deal than they otherwise would.
Not everyone has embraced him. Most who come out publicly are going to support him, but at least one former teammate has come out NOT in support. The majority are remaining silent. Who knows what the think.
As for my belief, it does not change my opinion of him as a person or football player. Although I often skeptical of the public personal outtings (why should it matter?), in his case he was going to be facing a lot of rumors and talk so he decided to get ahead of that.
He should switch to figure skating.
“Former University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam is gay.”
Doesn’t that make him an open end instead of a defensive one?
he could move to offense and be a tight end….
“Next year he’ll be wide receiver!”
Bob Nelson’s joke.
Ok, next.
The opposing teams may insist that he wear two protective cups during the games.
…or add dental dams to their own uniforms.
I was always told to be careful & don’t get sucked into things.
“but certainly the sort of player who can make an IMPACT if he finds the right (team/system) POSITION”
Sly comment by Will….
Ehh, who cares? If a team is just going to have him as a player just because he’s gay, they’ll suffer for it. What matters in football is talent, ability. If the kid’s got it, he’s got it.
Good for him…I think. Now that he openly admits to being a homosexual, we should openly remind him of what he has to look forward to:
HIV/AIDS, STD’s, PPNG, Viral Hepatitis B & C, Chlamydia Trachomatis,
Cryptosporidium, Giardia Lamblia, Herpes Simplex, Human Papilloma, Isospora
Belli, Microsporidia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Gay Bowel Syndrome, Condyloma Acuminata, Hemorrhoids, Nonspecific Proctitis, Anal Fistula, Perirectal Abscess, Anal Fissure, Amebiasis, Benign Polyps, Anorectal Trauma, Foreign Bodies, Shigellosis, Rectal Ulcers and Lymphogranuloma Venereum…oh, lets not leave out ANAL CANCER.
It is your choice, bro
Seems to me, you’re right, no hetero would dare catch anything like that.
I have a friend with HIV and one w/Hep C.They’re both women.
You might want to see a doctor,Thomas.
Which one of those is commonly called the bull head claps?
Can you get the crabs from a gay person too?
Foreign Bodies,…
Back in the day, TBG thought Sophia Loren had a nice one.
Benign Polyps??
I thought that was the name of a University of South Carolina wanna-be Seattle grunge band from the 1990’s????
Giardia Lamblia
Used to date her in high school .She broke up with me because her *family* didn’t approve. Never understood why. No one, and I mean no one, in her family worked. Sure, they owned some restaurants, laundromats, limo services, clubs, amusement machines etc but they just seemed to sit around and drink wine and watch (and bet on) sports all day.
It doesn’t matter any more how well he plays football. He has defined himself by his sexual choice. (Yes, I said choice).
Yes….TBG knows that posting this link is just WRONG.
TBG also knows some will brand him insensitive.
TBG. Just. Can’t. Help. Himself.
Ron Cherry
Uh-oh. Gay and Black. Couldn’t wait to read the comments from the usual yahoos on this site . . .
Does he pitch of catch???….errr: I mean, does he play the center QB position…????
Thank you, Usual Yahoo #1. Next!
So asking a question, trying to better understand, makes one a Yahoo…???…why is it yall think a different set of rules, (and laws) should apply to you just because of your sexual preferences???..what a bunch of Bigots…
I believe they often play on both sides of the,..ball(s).
are these terms that only gay people use?
I guess you mean he’s a homosexual negro. Wouldn’t know what the comments will be.
I would much rather hear about NFL cheerleaders coming out as lesbians. I would watch a movie about that. Hot, sexy, freaky lesbians….
Ben Roethlisberger likes raping fat chicks but you didn’t see him making a big public announcement about his sexual preferences.
These gays need to keep that shit to themselves. This is all about attention.
..and the *last* thing *football* is about is *attention*!
by the way, I ignored this topic *way* more than you did!
A gay college or professional jock? Shocking, I say!
I was gay until it was my turn. lol
It only matters to the LGBT agenda. Another opportunity to convince us straights that there are more kweers than straights. Hence, we straights are the ones who are flawed.
There are few things gayer than football.
Fits can you somehow remove Sam off your blog site? I’m tired of seeing it day after day. I am ok with him coming out of his queerness but I am not sure as to why it is such a celebratory thing? But, he has been your lead blog since he decided he wanted all to know. Is there something about you that we do not know?