College Football Star Michael Sam Says He Is Gay; May Become First Publicly Gay Player in N.F.L.

[Botany]

Source: NY Times

Coaches at the University of Missouri divided players into small groups at a preseason football practice last year for a team-building exercise. One by one, players were asked to talk about themselves — where they grew up, why they chose Missouri and what others might not know about them.

As Michael Sam, a defensive lineman, began to speak, he balled up a piece of paper in his hands. “I’m gay,” he said. With that, Mr. Sam set himself on a path to become the first publicly gay player in the National Football League.

“I looked in their eyes, and they just started shaking their heads — like, finally, he came out,” Mr. Sam said Sunday in an interview with The New York Times, the first time he spoke publicly about his sexual orientation.

Mr. Sam, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound senior, went on to a stellar season for Missouri, which finished 12-2 and won the Cotton Bowl. He was named a first-team all-American. He was the defensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference, widely considered the top league in college football. Teammates voted him Missouri’s most valuable player.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/10/sports/michael-sam-college-football-star-says-he-is-gay-ahead-of-nfl-draft.html?hp&_r=0

---

Please watch the video @ the link. After Mr. Sam came out to his team they stood with him and
he went onto become an all-American and the SEC defensive player of the year too.

[libdem4life]

1. Brave as well as handsome, an exceptional athlete and true to himself. We heard rumors

about this about another player about a year ago. I think the teams know...it takes a very big man (or woman) to come out in such a public way that could literally change your life...from college to the big time money pros.

Now we'll see what the owners and coaches are made of.

[Scuba]

2. "Now we'll see what the owners and coaches are made of."

Yep.

[yourout]

4. I am guessing winning will trump bedroom preference. I am sure he will take more crap than normal...

but if he can play......he can play.

[libdem4life]

9. I think so too, but it's a new day for LGBTs. NFL...Out...It's time. There are others.

[paleotn]

12. Oh, he can play....

....he was an absolute monster on a very good Mizzou D-Line. D player of the year in the SEC, ahead of Jadeveon Clowney and Dee Ford. I'd say he's one hell of a player.

Sam highlights.

...hurtful that so many of those are against my guys in black and gold (VU).

This past season, he was considered better than the guy who did this....

Sorry Mich fans, but I can never resist an opportunity to post "the hit."

[condoleeza]

23. Why is this even news?

Just so tired of anyone's sexuality being anyone else's business.

[theHandpuppet]

27. If you have to ask that question...

... I suspect there's no answer that would suffice.

[Iggo]

30. Because it's new.

[FreeState]

32. Privileged much?

I'll just congratulate you on living such a charmed life that you've never had to question your worth as a human being because you had no one to look up to who shared an important, confusing, scary part of your own identity.

If you try to tell me that "people shouldn't 'come out' because no one cares what goes on in your bedroom," then I'll ask you to please kindly refrain from introducing me to your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/opposite-sex partner of any sort, because I don't care what goes on in your bedroom, either.

An openly gay NFL player is a big deal. If you can't understand why, congratulations on never having been a kid who felt less-than because none of your heroes seemed to be "like you."

[awoke_in_2003]

39. Does this bother...

your poor, persecuted heterosexual self?

[condoleeza]

56. I have a gay son

Just am hoping for a time when this isn't a big deal anymore, but have to love this link that comes out of Texas - hope this guys has a job tomorrow: http://twentytwowords.com/dallas-sportscasters-shocking-response-to-michael-sam-coming-out-as-gay/

[davepc]

25. Being all world in college dosent always translate to NFL sucess

And he's too short and small to be an NFL DE, and too slow to be an NFL LB, at least going by what the scouts are looking for. Most prognosticators had him as no better then a 3rd round pick at best. There are people out there who think he might not even be drafted, though I think somebody will take a flyer on him.

[Botany]

3. I remember Ohio State had a pretty good center for the b ball team who was gay but ....

.... still in the closet and the abuse he took from other teams in the late 1980s was massive
and how little his teammates had his back. His last year he was in lots of fights because
other players would try to rough him up. It is great to see that the Missouri football team
had Mr. Sam's back. Change can happen and that is a good thing.

[libdem4life]

10. Amen to that. n/t

[yeoman6987]

51. Hope he is a good Football player

After Tebow, that is all we need. Tebow was the Savior of the crazy right and he didn't play well so of course when he was "fired", conservatives said it was because he was religious. I just hope that he is a good player and is chosen on merit.

[ReRe]

5. Yeah!

[closeupready]

6. Martina Navritilova earned my lifelong respect

when she came out of the closet many years ago, even before I did, lol - I have never forgotten that, what courage she would have had to possess in order to do that way back then.

It still takes courage, and I respect Michael Sam immensely for doing this. K&R

[paleotn]

7. This guy certainly doesn't fit the stereotype....

...certain people over on the right have about gay men. Hell of a player who's bound for success on the next level. Best of luck to ya, Mr. Sam!

[radicalliberal]

20. There's more than one stereotype contradicted by him.

I'm thinking of the stereotyping of boys who have no interest in sports.

I also wish the best of luck to Michael Sam.

[giftedgirl77]

8. I am very proud of him for being able to stand up

for who he is & in his teammates for standing beside him, that in itself has given him strength & made his life a bit easier.

[GatorOrange]

11. Remarkably Courageous Thing To Do!

The fact he did this before the NFL Draft and with his financial situation (determined where he is drafted) in limbo makes it all the more deserving of respect. Best of luck and I really hope Sam lands in the best situation for him. My Buccaneers DESPERATELY need help at Defensive End and I'd be more than happy to have him on board!

[glowing]

13. You got that right! We need a defense again!

And an Offence.. Lol

[Doctor_J]

15. Lance Briggs is almost done too. Sam would look good in the Bears' uniform.

Probably won't last until the middle of the first round though.

[awoke_in_2003]

40. Before this...

he was projected in the 5th round.

[Doctor_J]

43. the SEC Defensive POTY lasting to the 5th round??

unlikely.

[Blue_Tires]

47. The past 10 years, the SEC Def. POY has been drafted in the first round...

[Botany]

21. He is too small to play every down on the D-line in the NFL ......

.... he will either play linebacker or be brought in on certain situations but if he
was D player of the year in the SEC there can be no doubt that he can play @ the
next level.

[Doctor_J]

35. He'll play outside LB

As you say with those creds he can play standing up. Looking forward to this next step in the storied history of the NFL.

[Botany]

42. He might be better at middle LB ......

.... the question is does he have the speed to play linebacker in the league
because he will be matched up against backs and tight ends in coverage and
the NFL is a business and if you can't play they don't want you.

[Bonduel]

44. Please, just remember on draft day.

If he gets drafted somewhere in the 3rd to 5th round doesn't mean it's because of his sexuality. That is where he is projected to be drafted. Many great college players do not get drafted in the 1st few rounds.

[Blue_Tires]

48. We'll see

Russell Wilson was "too short" to be QB according to the scouts....

[Botany]

49. Sam is 6'2" and 260 LBS ..... the average Offensive Lineman in the NFL is something ...

..... 6' 5" or 6' 6" and 320 LBS ..... he would be giving up 1/2 a foot and 70 LBS
on almost every play. I think he can play in the league but not as an every
down D-lineman. He might play special teams, as a "rush end," as a linebacker
(if he has the speed), or he could be an awesome fullback.

[Blue_Tires]

50. D-lineman aren't always as big as you think

they rely more on scheme, speed and technique to get past o-lineman than size and brute strength...

and sadly, given the pass-happy nature of today's NFL, the fullback is long since dead-and-buried (I shed a tear as former one-time fullback in high school)...

[Botany]

52. there is still a place for the fullback ......

..... the read option game in college still is limited if somebody
gets through the line and the running back has no lead blocker .... (see Ohio State)
or even down field ..... fullback goes through the gap and he hits the
first "O C J" (other colored jersey) and then the running back
breaks off his run on that block. My favorite play run about
6 times a year is the pass to the fullback out in the flat .... works
every time.

Sam might be used like the New England Patriots used Mike Vrabel
kind of a high bread lineman / linebacker.

[hughee99]

53. I think he'll get drafted by a team running a 3-4 defense

and get converted to LB. This was done with Sergio Kindle and Jerry Hughes a few years ago, who both came out of the draft as DE that were undersized (both were about the same height and weight as Sam). I'd be surprised if any NFL team tries him at FB unless a conversion to LB doesn't work out.

[Botany]

54. not a full time fullback but for short yardage or on the goal line ....

.... he might be work out OK @ fullback. He is good to go on special teams too.

[Doctor_J]

14. Holy shit.

It finally happened.

[iandhr]

16. Little by little…. step by step…

… progress is made.

[DallasNE]

17. Considering That The NFL Draft Is Just Around The Corner

It will be interesting to see what changes, if any, this will make in where he is drafted. A lot of the owners are pretty right wing so will they impose their political beliefs on the general manager and head coach. Will the Cowboys draft him, for instance?

[theHandpuppet]

22. Let's just hope he doesn't end up with the Vikings

From what Chris Kluwe has said, Mr. Sam would not be welcome.

[BlueEye]

29. I think the deep-set homophobia in the NFL is attributable to both the players

as much as the owners. Indeed, many of the NFL owners are right wingers. But homophobia is known to positively correlate with ignorance, and (I'm probably going to get flamed for saying this) an NFL locker room is not the most intelligent place on Earth. There have been stories about college players being illiterate after four years of schooling. I have to imagine that an environment like that fosters bigotry against gay people. Hell, I was an athlete in high school, I remember the things the guys used to say.

[hrmjustin]

18. K&R!

[WillyT]

19. K & R !!!

[ruggerson]

24. That's what a hero looks like

n/t

[Nanjing to Seoul]

26. Good luck, son. . .you're going to feel the things Jackie Robinson felt.

And it's sad you will go through that in 2014.

[ccjlld]

28. So proud of my Tigers

for standing beside and standing up for their brother and team mate.

[Dawgs]

31. That picture is awesome.

[Coyote_Bandit]

33. Didn't the Packers

have an openly gay punter? Kris Klue(sp)?

And didn't they can him for his political activism on behalf of gay rights?

Or does my memory fail me?

[FreeState]

34. Kris Kluwe was playing for Minnesota Vikings - very much straight

He is straight and a huge marriage equality advocate.

[MsPithy]

37. Ahhhh. A common mistake.

A common mistake but also, a painfully, embarrassingly stupid one.

People who support equality for LGBT folks DON'T HAVE TO BE GAY OR LESBIANS OR BISEXUAL OR TRANSEXUALS!

I'm sure this is news to you, but white, heterosexuals can believe the 14th Amendment applies to everyone! PERIOD!

[Coyote_Bandit]

38. well....

Pardon me for being straight and supporting rights regardless of sexual orientation - and doing so while I serve as a sole full-time unpaid caregiver for a parent with dementia who lives in another state.

Since I have more pressing obligations, I didn't bother to fact check before posting what was stated as a questionable recollection.

Apparently, I shouldn't have bothered. I will turn my attention elsewhere. I am already ass deep in alligators.

No offense intended but I have other battles to fight.

[MsPithy]

41. Was there an, "I was wrong to assume only

a homosexual would fight for LGBT equality," in there somewhere?

[Coyote_Bandit]

46. i asked a question

and indicated I was unsure if my recollection was correct.

Apparently, that prompted others to make their own assmptions.

So excuse me for asking. I will not do so again. It i not likely that I will read threads on this subject here at DU again in the forseeble future.

I come to DU for some sanity in my world as a dementia caregiver. My time here is extremely limited and there are other issues for me to explore.

Sorry to upset your apple cart by asking a question. I did not intend any offense. Though I suspect you do not and will not believe me.

And your assumption is wrong. I know many straight artists in my community who give their time and talent to support our local equality center and who are politically active on the issue. In the past I too have done so. But I don't expect you to believe that either.

[MsPithy]

36. Defensive Player of the Year.

I guess this draft will show us all which team wants to WIN GAMES!

[sofa king]

45. Couldn't be happier for him!

That fellow deserves a lot of credit for looking at this problem and saying to himself, "someone has to be the first, and why the hell not me?"

And, by so doing, he's made the decision of disclosure infinitely easier for every gay football player who follows, for generations to come. Just solved that damned problem for all of them, permanently, forever.

Most of us will never get the chance to make that sort of a difference, and I don't know if I would have had the courage to do it, myself. Admirable!

[jmowreader]

55. He's going to be a Seahawk

http://www.seahawks.com/team/roster.html

Go down the weights; except for the guards and tackles, the whole team is about the same size as Michael Sam.