SEC DPOTY: Michael Sam announced he is gay

[Wartooth]

He's an undersized DE ...if he was talented I would say yes, draft him, but he is just another guy. If he wasn't gay he wouldn't even have a thread here. Nothing about his athleticism stands out.

I think it's interesting that people don't think he's anything to think twice about but he was an All-American DE and Co-Defensive Player of the year in arguably the toughest division in college football, the SEC. The dude can play, even if he isn't your prototypical LEO/DE.

Sam did record 11.5 sacks last season, the final one coming in the Tigers' Cotton Bowl win.

Nine of them came during a trio of three-sack performances against Arkansas State 8-5, Vanderbilt 9-4, and Florida 4-8.

Seems like he played great in 3 games.

 

[kearly]

HE WASNT IN THE CLOSET. That's what everyone is missing here, he already told friends, family and teammates, he didn't need to tell the media to be "out". He was already out, but now the draft will be all about him, every round that passes they will no doubt talk about him.

I won't name names, but there is a long list of Hollywood celebrities that are known to be gay if you talk to their friends or even friends of friends. It is not the same as being out of the closet. Had those celebrities come out as openly gay, it could potentially alter their careers. Ellen DeGeneres was one of the first to do it, and she turned out okay, but there's little doubt in my mind that her coming out directly led to the cancellation of her initial sitcom. Her sitcom was one of the most popular shows on TV in 1997, then she comes out, and it's off the air by 1998. Point being, there's a lot of risk with being openly gay when your career is based on decisions made by others.

Sam making this announcement was the right thing to do, IMO, because it's better for people to learn and accept him now than during a time of year when coaches would frown on distractions. Like you said, the looseness with how he handled his sexual orientation at Missouri would lead to rumors in the NFL and eventually force him to come out anyway, so he chose to do it now to help lessen the turmoil in his future NFL locker room.

Still pretty ballsy though, IMO. Lots of respect earned for doing the right thing, even if it might hurt his draft status.

 

[seadoc30]

Why didn't he come out publicly in Mizzo when he told his team? One reason being, he didn't want to be a distraction and second reason being, the team didn't want a distraction in dealing with the media circus. IIf he was so proud n had the complete support of the school, then what held them back from coming out publicly? I bet the day he told his team, every person running that university told him to keep his mouth quite and never speak a word of this.

This is the reason no team will want him. He isn't a once in a decade type of player that teams can say let's come up with strategies and use our time/resources to deal with the media and block out the distraction for this guy. This is the NFL! Not some charity league to feel sorry or sacrifice for someone. If your not a super star, it doesn't matter if you are MLK or Gandi, no GM/Coach/owner is gana give you a spot if there is even a hint of him causing a distraction.

 

[seadoc30]

I can't wait till the day when players don't have to advertise their sexual preferences. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being gay, but can't you just be gay without a press release about it? Just be gay or straight. Or whatever in between. Don't make it a political talking point. Just be you.

Completely agree. Everyone knows there were, there are gays, straights, Christians, Muslims, Jews, atheist, etc in the NFL. Why make your personal things public? Eventually, you teammates will find everything about you. Deal with them if they have a problem. I couldnt watch tv today because every channel is discussing you being gay. I don't give a f****. Be whatever you want, do whatever you want. Just don't torture me!

 

[Yoonhawk]

I will use better language next time but how is this not relevant. My sexuality is of no concern to others and if the writers of the world are convinced that there have been gay players in the past, then his sexual orientation should be kept to himself.

Wow. Your whole argument is based on the premise that society treats gays and heterosexuals equally, which is a complete crock. Ask yourself this...if a player announcement his engagement to his girlfriend, would it make national headlines? No. It would't be a story because it is accepted as normal activity in society, not something that should be "hidden". Would the same player be asked to hide his private life an not celebrate his engagement openly because he'll be "drawing attention to himself?" I don't think so. Would he be considered classless? I suppose to you he would.

Do you hide to your coworkers your relationship with your wife or girlfriend? I suppose if I didn't have testicles and didn't care about sex, I'd be single and my sexuality also would never come up in conversation. Life would be so much simpler.

Has there ever been an example of a Gay Player being attacked in the locker room?? What exactly are his teammates suppose to do with this information? The only thing it can be is divisive. If you want to bring attention to yourself, don't get angry when others disapprove.

So you're basically saying he needs to hide who he is, or he'll cause division among his teammates who will disapprove of his lifestyle. Gee, I wonder why it is such a big deal for a player to out himself in this environment. The fact that we don't know if a gay player has been physically attacked in the locker room doesn't mean it wouldn't be difficult for a player to hide a big part of who he is and be comfortable around his teammates. Watch a few episodes of the Rob Report and you'll hear plenty of gay slurs. Perhaps if they knew that there was an openly gay player on their team, they would truly understand that being gay isn't a big deal.

I wonder what the NFL would have done if players openly supported hetero marriage and condemned gays in the NFL?? Kluwe did the reverse and is now suing the league. I erase my harsh language but I stick by their meaning!! I don't think this guy will be drafted but now he has an avenue right? It must have been because he is Gay. This guy to me has no class.

This argument is incoherent at best, although I think you're again trying to create a false equivalence between being gay and being straight. Once again, if being gay was as accepted as being straight, his announcement today wouldn't receive a second of publicity. He's not doing it because he doesn't have class, he's doing it so he can pave the way for future players so it isn't a big deal when they want to play in the NFL as a gay man.

 

[Yoonhawk]

I can't wait till the day when players don't have to advertise their sexual preferences. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being gay, but can't you just be gay without a press release about it? Just be gay or straight. Or whatever in between. Don't make it a political talking point. Just be you.

Completely agree. Everyone knows there were, there are gays, straights, Christians, Muslims, Jews, atheist, etc in the NFL. Why make your personal things public? Eventually, you teammates will find everything about you. Deal with them if they have a problem. I couldnt watch tv today because every channel is discussing you being gay. I don't give a f****. Be whatever you want, do whatever you want. Just don't torture me!

Do you get equally upset when players like Russell profess their Christianity?

 

[kearly]

I listened to a couple hours of Brock and Danny talking about this topic. I'm already sick of this story. Not Michael Sam's fault, but man, the media can be so tiresome on topics like these. At least when they drove Tebow into the ground, Tebow had a comedy element to it. The Tebow story was dark comedy. This story isn't just boring, but it brings out the worst in some people as well (especially on youtube or ESPN comment sections). Can't wait for him to be drafted and this story becomes page five material.

Between this and all the racism stirred up from the Sherman rant, it really is quite eye opening how far our culture still needs to go.

 

[sutz]

I listened to a couple hours of Brock and Danny talking about this topic. I'm already sick of this story. Not Michael Sam's fault, but man, the media can be so tiresome on topics like these. At least when they drove Tebow into the ground, Tebow had a comedy element to it. The Tebow story was dark comedy. This story isn't just boring, but it brings out the worst in some people as well (especially on youtube or ESPN comment sections). Can't wait for him to be drafted and this story becomes page five material.

Between this and all the racism stirred up from the Sherman rant, it really is quite eye opening how far our culture still needs to go.

Having been around a while, I would say, "How far our culture has regressed."

I know, topic for another forum. Sorry.

:229031_shrug:

 

[ivotuk]

The media loves these stories because they can beat them to death, even when the majority of people are sick of it. Just like the Manti Teo story.


BUT, the media will beat it to death over and over, praying and hoping that they can find one nutjob to come out and say something stupid so that the "media" can come off as Outraged and Self-Righteous. Because if there is anything the media loves, it is to blare to anyone and everyone how righteous and outraged they are.


This kind of "journalism" says more about the media than it does about our culture. Most people I believe are accepting and to them this would be an interesting story that warrants nothing more than a short blurb.

 

[kjreid]

I listened to a couple hours of Brock and Danny talking about this topic. I'm already sick of this story. Not Michael Sam's fault, but man, the media can be so tiresome on topics like these. At least when they drove Tebow into the ground, Tebow had a comedy element to it. The Tebow story was dark comedy. This story isn't just boring, but it brings out the worst in some people as well (especially on youtube or ESPN comment sections). Can't wait for him to be drafted and this story becomes page five material.

Between this and all the racism stirred up from the Sherman rant, it really is quite eye opening how far our culture still needs to go.

This is THE BIG reason why "unnamed" GM's will take a pass on Sam instead of a 5th or 6th round flyer on him. He was the DPOTY in the SEC primarily because the SEC was very absorbed at containing the pressure up the middle from Mizzou. the downer on him is his size and speed, His quickness is what is special about him and gets him past average lineman like they are in concrete. I think he can be a special teamer and a 3rd and long specialist in the right system.

 

[SonicHawk]

Of course the media is going to beat this story to death (interesting choice of phrases really), it doesn't make it wrong for him to come out right now. In fact it was great timing. He's not effecting his college season, he's letting GMs know that if they draft him they will be apart of it and it's not at the Combine or at the draft or right after.

I can't imagine a better time for him to do it.

For all those thinking he's just looking for fame: You don't think being an openly gay college player on his way to the NFL isn't a good story? Him coming out last year would have been even better of a story. He's also already going to the NFL, being gay doesn't give him any advantage.

For all those already tired of the story: I'm glad you don't care, that's how it should be. Unfortunately you are in the minority. This is a story because it is a story.

For all those worried about the locker room: Really? Do you think gays are just constantly trying to have sex with guys? What is wrong with you?

 

[ratso]

Supposing NOBODY drafts him? Will there be such an outcry that Goodell will be forced to implement a variation of the "Rooney Rule"? A "Sam Rule" if you will? Every team will be forced to at least take a look at an openly gay prospect. It's not beyond the realm of possibility.

 

[getnasty]

Who drafts him? I'm gonna go with the Ravens or the Steelers. Does he hit the same showers as everybody else? Not being a smart ass with that question either.

 

[ImTheScientist]

I listened to a couple hours of Brock and Danny talking about this topic. I'm already sick of this story. Not Michael Sam's fault, but man, the media can be so tiresome on topics like these. At least when they drove Tebow into the ground, Tebow had a comedy element to it. The Tebow story was dark comedy. This story isn't just boring, but it brings out the worst in some people as well (especially on youtube or ESPN comment sections). Can't wait for him to be drafted and this story becomes page five material.

Between this and all the racism stirred up from the Sherman rant, it really is quite eye opening how far our culture still needs to go.

This is THE BIG reason why "unnamed" GM's will take a pass on Sam instead of a 5th or 6th round flyer on him. He was the DPOTY in the SEC primarily because the SEC was very absorbed at containing the pressure up the middle from Mizzou. the downer on him is his size and speed, His quickness is what is special about him and gets him past average lineman like they are in concrete. I think he can be a special teamer and a 3rd and long specialist in the right system.

If yah at GM even exists....I can see the media fabricating that comment to stir shit up.

 

[seadoc30]

I can't wait till the day when players don't have to advertise their sexual preferences. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being gay, but can't you just be gay without a press release about it? Just be gay or straight. Or whatever in between. Don't make it a political talking point. Just be you.

Completely agree. Everyone knows there were, there are gays, straights, Christians, Muslims, Jews, atheist, etc in the NFL. Why make your personal things public? Eventually, you teammates will find everything about you. Deal with them if they have a problem. I couldnt watch tv today because every channel is discussing you being gay. I don't give a f****. Be whatever you want, do whatever you want. Just don't torture me!

Do you get equally upset when players like Russell profess their Christianity?

I bet RW would never do that if it was going to cause controversies or cause any distractions to the team. Do you see any media circus at the VMAC asking RW, the coaches n players day n night what they think of RW thanking God for his ability?

 

[seadoc30]

Who drafts him? I'm gonna go with the Ravens or the Steelers. Does he hit the same showers as everybody else? Not being a smart ass with that question either.

That is a very good question in my opinion. Personally, I wouldnt want to hit the showers with him in it. He has admitted he is attracted to guys. Look at it this way. I am a married man and dearly love my wife, I am not a pervert or anything like that, but if you put me in a shower with another lady, it would stimulate me no matter how hard I try to suppress that feeling. Why? Because that's what hormones do to you. It's natural. That's why they keep the two attractions apart in such places. Now in reference to gays, why would it be any different. He would get stimulated and get dirty thoughts at the sight of naked athletic sexy guys showering.

 

[dontbelikethat]

The news came via a three-word text message — “Dad, I’m gay” — received while Sam Sr. was eating at Denny’s.

“I couldn’t eat no more, so I went to Applebee’s to have drinks,” Sam Sr. said. “I don’t want my grand kids raised in that kind of environment.”

Sam Sr. explained that he’s “old school . . . a man-and-a-woman type of guy.” To illustrate the point, Sam Sr. said he took one of his older sons to Mexico so that he could lose his virginity.

As the icing on the cake, Sam Sr. said that Hall of Famer Deacon Jones “is turning over in his grave” at the prospect of an openly gay player in the NFL.

And that’s coming from the father of the NFL’s first openly gay player.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... evelation/

Damn...

 

[getnasty]

Went to Applebees to have drinks, thats classic!

 

[TestMo1337]

I am a married man and dearly love my wife, I am not a pervert or anything like that, but if you put me in a shower with another lady, it would stimulate me no matter how hard I try to suppress that feeling. Why? Because that's what hormones do to you. It's natural.

So you're attracted to all women then? It must suck to go to the beach/pool with you because it would stimulate you. You know, because that's natural, right?

Being gay doesn't mean that you're naturally attracted to every other dudes. To think otherwise shows how little you are exposed to other people that think differently than you.



I'm pretty sure that if any woman saw this in the shower... they would not get turned on.

 

[seadoc30]

I am a married man and dearly love my wife, I am not a pervert or anything like that, but if you put me in a shower with another lady, it would stimulate me no matter how hard I try to suppress that feeling. Why? Because that's what hormones do to you. It's natural.

So you're attracted to all women then? It must suck to go to the beach/pool with you because it would stimulate you. You know, because that's natural, right?

Being gay doesn't mean that you're naturally attracted to every other dudes. To think otherwise shows how little you are exposed to other people that think differently than you.



I'm pretty sure that if any woman saw this in the shower... they would not get turned on.

Being on the beach/pool is different than being in a shower with a a naked girl. Last time I checked there is a reason why they have separate locker rooms and showers at beaches/pools/gyms. If you don't think there is one try going into one of the ladies shower rooms and see what they do to you.