An NFL Top Draft Prospect Comes Out

[Limey]

Michael Sam announced that he's gay.

Good for him.  Your move Aikman.

[Mr. Happy]

We were just discussing that issue at work. I applaud the young man. Apparently, his teammates at University of Missouri knew all season and had no problem with it. I wonder how the announcement will affect his draft status. From what I've read, before the announcement, Sam was projecting as a fourth round pick. I seriously doubt that a club would stretch to pick Sam because draft picks are too valuable. It will be interesting to see whether he drops down to the controversy that it will bring the team. Front offices are loath to impact the chemistry of a locker room. Some clubs won't want the publicity. If the players aren't on board, the poor guy may end up on an island alone, which would be both sad and pathetic.

[Bench]

According to this Deadspin report, the players are generally fine with it but the execs are reticent.

[Limey]

I'm sure the players and coaches will, for the most part, not give a shit.  There's a lot of pressure on Sam to perform now, so that everyone forgets about his orientation and focuses on his play on the field.

He's a "hometown" product (from Galveston) and is a DE who might be able to switch to OLB.  The Texans could use someone good at either position, but I have no idea if Sam's good enough.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

According to this Deadspin report, the players are generally fine with it but the execs are reticent.

I'm curious who decided that "distraction" is coded language for homophobia; after a full year of hearing how much of a distraction Johnny Football would be to A&M, I fail to see how some nameless NFL exec using the same language about Sam is any different.  In both cases, the actual "distraction" is a non-issue.

[Ty in Tampa]

He's a "hometown" product (from Galveston)...

Hitchcock, actually.

[Limey]

According to this Deadspin report, the players are generally fine with it but the execs are reticent.

Those quotes are pathetic.  The league (well, the Eagles, at least) welcomed back convicted felon - and someone who used to kill dogs by bashing their heads on concrete - with little fuss.  It made Ray Lewis - a man who wasn't sent to jail for life for murder because he paid everyone, including the victim's family, to STFU - the focus of the 2013 Superbowl, and then gave him a ring and the MVP trophy.

And they worry about about Sam's impact on dressing room chemistry?

[juliogotay]

Michael Sam announced that he's gay.

Good for him.  Your move Aikman.

None of us is under any obligation to reveal anything about ourselves to the masses. If being gay is not shameful and a non-event, and I'm in that camp btw, why do we care if they reveal themselves? It's not our business. Troy Aikman owes me nothing.

[Bench]

I'm curious who decided that "distraction" is coded language for homophobia; after a full year of hearing how much of a distraction Johnny Football would be to A&M, I fail to see how some nameless NFL exec using the same language about Sam is any different.  In both cases, the actual "distraction" is a non-issue.

Because in this case the "distraction" is the player's sexual orientation.  It's hiding behind a general term because he doesn't want to come right out and say it.  For Jonathan Footballamew, the term "distraction" was code for his partying, mouthiness and general primadonna act.  Employing the catchall term "distraction" in both cases is just lazy, but they refer to very different things. 

[Bench]

Because in this case the "distraction" is the player's sexual orientation.  It's hiding behind a general term because he doesn't want to come right out and say it.  For Jonathan Footballamew, the term "distraction" was code for his partying, mouthiness and general primadonna act.  Employing the catchall term "distraction" in both cases is just lazy, but they refer to very different things. 

Or as PFT Commenter succinctly put it:

I wouldnt hire him to work for me not because hes Gay but because hes a distraction and that distraction happens to be that hes Gay. It has nothing to do with him being Gay,

By the way, the entire article WHO CARES IF A PLAYER IS GAY? NOT ME. MY 1,000 WORD COLUMN is some of his finest work.

[Limey]

Or as PFT Commenter succinctly put it:

I wouldnt hire him to work for me not because hes Gay but because hes a distraction and that distraction happens to be that hes Gay. It has nothing to do with him being Gay,

Yes.  Clearly he was a distraction as an out player at Missouri where his "Defensive Player of the Year" performance helped them to a top 5 finish this year.  Terrible.

[chuck]

I hope the Texans draft him and that he transitions to OLB, goes nutso, comes in second to JJ in DPOY voting and that he is the catalyst for this becoming a non-issue in future years.

And if a certain NFC quarterback wants to join in the fun, hey, the more the merrier.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Because in this case the "distraction" is the player's sexual orientation.  It's hiding behind a general term because he doesn't want to come right out and say it.  For Jonathan Footballamew, the term "distraction" was code for his partying, mouthiness and general primadonna act.  Employing the catchall term "distraction" in both cases is just lazy, but they refer to very different things. 

Agreed.  Just saying that it's lazy in both instances. 

[HudsonHawk]

Agreed.  Just saying that it's lazy in both instances. 

It's lazy, but it's the reality. Whoever drafts him is going to have to deal with an inordinate amount of attention because of it.  He will be the most talked about 4th round (or where ever it ends up being) draft choice in history. 

[Randy Watson]

It is distraction like Tim Tebow is a distraction.  

I am pretty sure most teams have a gay or two on them.  Hell Ernest Givins is as queer as a $3 bill.  His teammates knew that.  No distraction because he wasn't out.

This guy will have a lot of media coverage because he's the first one out.  Most coaches and execs don't want that.

He will make it easier on the next guy though and eventually it will be a non story.

[94CougarGrad]

Those quotes are pathetic.  The league (well, the Eagles, at least) welcomed back convicted felon - and someone who used to kill dogs by bashing their heads on concrete - with little fuss.  It made Ray Lewis - a man who wasn't sent to jail for life for murder because he paid everyone, including the victim's family, to STFU - the focus of the 2013 Superbowl, and then gave him a ring and the MVP trophy.

And they worry about about Sam's impact on dressing room chemistry?

You need to visit wfaa.com and watch Dale Hansen's videotaped statement, if you haven't already. It played on the news up here last night and again just a few minutes ago.

[BizidyDizidy]

This is a very sad article

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10439397/father-michael-sam-struggling-news-son-gay

[Mr. Happy]

This is a very sad article

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10439397/father-michael-sam-struggling-news-son-gay

I agree, but you must admit that Sam breaking the gay news to his parents via a text message last week didn't give him much time to process it before the press swooped in.

[BizidyDizidy]

I agree, but you must admit that Sam breaking the gay news to his parents via a text message last week didn't give him much time to process it before the press swooped in.

On the other hand, reading the article I can understand why he did it that way

[HudsonHawk]

This is a very sad article

Why would anything think it's sad?

[BizidyDizidy]

Also, despite the sadness of the article I (elitist prick that I am) couldn't help but laugh at this

Sam's father took the news hard. He said he was eating at a Denny's restaurant but had to leave after receiving the text.

"I couldn't eat no more, so I went to Applebee's to have drinks,"

[HudsonHawk]

Also, despite the sadness of the article I (elitist prick that I am) couldn't help but laugh at this

That was the saddest part.

[BizidyDizidy]

Why would anything think it's sad?

Sam Sr. told the newspaper. "I don't want my grandkids raised in that kind of environment."

Sam Sr., who described himself as "old-school," told the newspaper the idea of a gay player in the NFL bothers him, even when that person could be his own son.

He told the newspaper that late Hall of Famer Deacon Jones, the leader of the Rams' Fearsome Foursome who is credited with terming the word sack, "is turning over in his grave."

Imagine if your dad said he didn't think jackasses should be Petroleum Geologists?

[Bench]

That was the saddest part.

He probably kept his hat on and asked the waitress to sit down and take his order. 

[HudsonHawk]

Imagine if your dad said he didn't think jackasses should be Petroleum Geologists?

Hard because my dad "loves his son and hopes he makes it to the NFL". But even though I didn't make it to the NFL "they pretty much said 'we know and we love you and support you". You know kind of exactly what Michael Sam's father said. Perhaps that's a little too quaint for a spoiled selfish prick, but I'll take it.

On a side note, I like how you capitalized Petroleum Geologist.  It shows the proper respect. Now get on your knees and bark like a dog.

[chuck]

I like how his biological father had no idea but his quasi-adopted father had it figured out ages ago.

And I can't be the only one around here who's had drinks at Applebee's.

[Bench]

And I can't be the only one around here who's had drinks at Applebee's.

If I ever find myself in an Applebee's you can be sure that I will have several. 

[HudsonHawk]

I like how his biological father had no idea but his quasi-adopted father had it figured out ages ago.

And I can't be the only one around here who's had drinks at Applebee's.

I once bought a "membership" to Applebee's so I could drink there.

[BizidyDizidy]

I once bought a "membership" to Applebee's so I could drink there.

That goes in your permanent record

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Once about 20 years ago I went to an Applebee's in St. Louis, probably drank a beer with my order of baby back ribs, maybe two. I've been to a Denny's too. There's nothing wrong with it unless you only can handle fancy shit.

[HudsonHawk]

Once about 20 years ago I went to an Applebee's in St. Louis, probably drank a beer with my order of baby back ribs, maybe two. I've been to a Denny's too. There's nothing wrong with it unless you only can handle fancy shit.

Or you're in Enid, Oklahoma, and the Chat 'N Chew is closed, and there's nowhere else except the nastiest tittie bar you couldn't even imagine in your wildest dreams.

[Ron Brand]

What's creepier than finger-shaped bruises on your dancer? An amputee dancer, that's what.

[Bench]

Once about 20 years ago I went to an Applebee's in St. Louis, probably drank a beer with my order of baby back ribs, maybe two. I've been to a Denny's too. There's nothing wrong with it unless you only can handle fancy shit.

Denny's is fine. I sure as shit wouldn't leave a Denny's to go to an Applebee's.

[Mr. Happy]

On the other hand, reading the article I can understand why he did it that way

I thought that act was cowardly. You go in and present yourself, your news and ask for their love and support. Texting "I'm gay" doesn't do it for me.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I thought that act was cowardly. You go in and present yourself, your news and ask for their love and support. Texting "I'm gay" doesn't do it for me.

Yes, if i had a child, that's not the way I would like to find out. But every family is different and his seems pretty messed up, without more knowledge of his relationship with his father, I would be hesitant to label it cowardly.

[Ty in Tampa]

Texting "I'm gay" doesn't do it for me.

I know, right? Worst. Pick-up line. Ever.

[Mr. Happy]

Yes, if i had a child, that's not the way I would like to find out. But every family is different and his seems pretty messed up, without more knowledge of his relationship with his father, I would be hesitant to label it cowardly.

Put yourself in the admittedly homophobic dad's place. Can you imagine while eating a meal, your son texts you, not calls you or comes to see you, but texts you in the middle of the day to drop that bombshell on you? Sam apparently didn't care what his father was doing or who he might have been with at the time that he sent the text message, which I find very self-absorbed and unfeeling. He had to have known that his dad might take that news hard. Why not a warning text first, like "I have big news. Are you sitting down and by yourself?" I stand by the cowardly comment and raise you a selfish.

[BizidyDizidy]

Did you see that he doesn't stay with his family when he comes back home? Obviously a lot going on there.

[NeilT]

Did you see that he doesn't stay with his family when he comes back home? Obviously a lot going on there.

There's an interview with his high school football coach I saw somewhere, that talks about his family and his personal history.  The football coach comes across great, basically this is a Hitchcock kid and Hitchcock's got his back.  Really a tremendous response for the whole community.  Not much good said about his family though. 

[Bench]

Put yourself in the admittedly homophobic dad's place. Can you imagine while eating a meal, your son texts you, not calls you or comes to see you, but texts you in the middle of the day to drop that bombshell on you? Sam apparently didn't care what his father was doing or who he might have been with at the time that he sent the text message, which I find very self-absorbed and unfeeling. He had to have known that his dad might take that news hard. Why not a warning text first, like "I have big news. Are you sitting down and by yourself?" I stand by the cowardly comment and raise you a selfish.

You have no way of knowing the aspects of their relationship to criticize how Sam told his father.

[NeilT]

You have no way of knowing the aspects of their relationship to criticize how Sam told his father.

From the newspaper reports, I gather the homophobic dad basically abandoned the family when Sam was quite young.  It doesn't sound like Sam owed his father anything.

[Bench]

From the newspaper reports, I gather the homophobic dad basically abandoned the family when Sam was quite young.  It doesn't sound like Sam owed his father anything.

That's my take on it as well. 

[Mr. Happy]

You have no way of knowing the aspects of their relationship to criticize how Sam told his father.

I'm entitled to my opinion about it, counselor. If the relationship was non-existent or minimal, why tell him at all?

[NeilT]

I'm entitled to my opinion about it, counselor. If the relationship was non-existent or minimal, why tell him at all?

Because the press was going to track him down, and Sams is probably a better kid than the dad deserves. 

[Bench]

I'm entitled to my opinion about it, counselor. If the relationship was non-existent or minimal, why tell him at all?

You're entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to point out that it is groundless and contrary to the evidence. It's a beautiful system.

[Mr. Happy]

You're entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to point out that it is groundless and contrary to the evidence. It's a beautiful system.

This wasn't a case of "evidence." It was a case of feeling and opinion, more of a visceral reaction. I'm not defending the sorry ass father here, who clearly should have held his tongue to the baiting press's desire for a controversial quote. Dad should have publicly supported his son even if he was hurt and/or disagreed with how he handled it. The dad wasn't prepared for the press, but he should have been.

[Limey]

The dad wasn't prepared for the press, but he should have been.

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.