It's a really long piece so I won't copy and paste it here. Essentially Michael Sam DE out of Mizzou came out and said he's gay. WalterFootball has him listed as a 3rd to 5th round pick. So this could be interesting to see how it affects his draft status. Either way though it's a major breakthrough for gay rights in the NFL.
There have been gay players in football forever. There has just been some too ignorant to realize that, and there will be some unable to accept an openly gay football player, even today. Which is incredibly unfortunate.
Michael Sam, however, deserves to applauded for his decision to openly acknowledge his homosexuality. He would deserve that applause whether or not he played football, because coming out is always a courageous act. But to do so two weeks prior to the NFL Combine and prior to entering the NFL is particularly impressive. He should be proud of himself, and we should be proud of and impressed by him. I know I am.
I am also proud of his teammates and coaches at Missouri, who Mr. Sam came out to before last season, and who both accepted him and kept it quiet for so long. That is impressive, and also shows that having a gay football player in the locker room is not a distraction. I doubt Mr. Sam's homosexuality, and his teammates knowledge of the same, kept Missouri from beating Auburn. Their season was quite successful.
It will be interesting to see how the NFL is affected by Mr. Sam's action, but hopefully the NFL is able to handle Mr. Sam's homosexuality as well as his teammates and coaches at Missouri did.
Yes, let's applaud those with the courage to proudly be who they naturally are, even with the knowledge that there are those out there too small-minded to accept them.
Whether that be African-Americans breaking the color barrier in sports or homosexuals coming out publicly, they should be applauded.
No one should have to hide who they are.
If a bunch of college kids at Missouri can do it, I would hope a group of "professionals" would be able to do it.
Quote: Yes, let's applaud those with the courage to proudly be who they naturally are, even with the knowledge that there are those out there too small-minded to accept them.
Whether that be African-Americans breaking the color barrier in sports or homosexuals coming out publicly, they should be applauded.
No one should have to hide who they are.
If a bunch of college kids at Missouri can do it, I would hope a group of "professionals" would be able to do it.
Quote: Whether that be African-Americans breaking the color barrier in sports or homosexuals coming out publicly, they should be applauded.
No one should have to hide who they are.
Just think how different the sports world would be if Jackie Robinson never told anybody he was black.
Haha, touche! Poor wording on my part!
The point still stands though, and actually the nature of the trait should hypothetically make the acceptance easier. The vast majority of NFL players have played with a gay player at some level. And it wasn't the end of football. They have played with gay players before, they just didn't necessarily know it.
Just because homosexuality is a trait that isn't obvious from looking at someone doesn't mean people should be forced to keep it hidden by either policy or societal pressure.
You don't have to applaud the homosexuality, acceptance is more than fine.
But I am applauding the act of coming out when he did, on his own terms at his own time.
I think that is what should be applauded, the courage to proudly be himself even when he knows being himself will not be acceptable to some people, and that he will face difficulty because of it.
Quote: Why do we feel the need to applaud it? Seriously?
I can accept him being a homosexual, but why in the hell should I applaud it?
Freaking world is twisted.
He's not the first homosexual football player. We know that. Kwammie Harris or whatever his name is (guy on the 49ers, that Browns fans discussed possibly picking up many years ago, and I'm sure you were in the mix) is a homosexual ex-NFL player. Same with that punter on the Vikings?
But besides that, there must have been many more. Yet there haven't been any that have come out while playing that I can think of.
So obviously there's something to it Vers. And obviously it takes a lot of guts to do it, because no one else has, and statistics show that there had to be a decent amount of gay NFL players.
Being the first to do this has to take some courage, as no one else has really done it. And that's something to applaud.
This isn't like Brittney Griner coming out, there's been gay WNBA players. And it's not Jason Collins, who probably knew he wasn't going to get picked up by an NBA team that year anyway....... Gotta give this guy some credit, especially when it might impact whether he gets into the NFL or not (and if he makes a team). He's got guts
I won't knock a guy for being a homosexual, but I sure as hell ain't going to applaud him.
Guess it's a character flaw.
I agree with you on this.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I won't knock a guy for being a homosexual, but I sure as hell ain't going to applaud him.
Guess it's a character flaw.
That's fine. But it's not about being a homosexual. It's about having the guts to say it when no one else has...... Two different things. Most folks (or at least I would hope most folks) aren't saying "Hooray, you're gay!" I don't really care whether someone's gay or straight, it's not really something to applaud.......
At least for me, it's more of a, "I respect the fact that you are man enough to come out and say that you are." There's something to be said about doing that, as no one has yet. As I said, there has to be something to it. And to me, that's impressive.
A lot will ask why we even need to know. And that's a valid point. However, acceptance comes when you know someone that's gay and understand they're just as "normal" as you (or just as messed up, depends on how you feel).
During the equal rights movement, it might have been easier to accept what they were fighting for a woman or black person because you knew some and could see they needed the same rights. With gays, if they stay in the closet, most of the majority won't know one (well they would, but wouldn't know they know a gay person).
I'm hoping this might be the last time we all have to go through something like this. You may not approve of their lifestyle, and I really think this isn't what it's about, it's just proving once again, we're all equal for the most part and should have the same basic rights.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
I won't knock a guy for being a homosexual, but I sure as hell ain't going to applaud him.
Guess it's a character flaw.
I'll applaud his courage. Couldn't care less about his sexual orientation.
I would applaud the courage of any active player admitting he's gay because one hasn't had the stones to do that yet. However, this man has taken it one step further. Not only has he shown the stones to come out as an active gay player, he's doing it prior to the draft. Doing it now can clearly affect his draft status, ergo his paycheck and ability to be allowed to contribute.
It was just a matter of time before a brave soul who was actually still playing in the league admitted he was gay. Someone admitting it right before the draft takes the concept of conviction and courage to another level.
I do applaud him for that.
***Gordon, I really didn't think you could be this stOOpid, but you exceeded my expectations. Wussy. Manziel, see Josh Gordon. Dumbass.***
I won't knock a guy for being a homosexual, but I sure as hell ain't going to applaud him.
Guess it's a character flaw.
THANK YOU VERSE! This world is TWISTED! I DO NOT HATE or condemn peoples choices because they ARE JUST THAT... CHOICES... How sad is it that there is FAR MORE outcry in our society over prayer and in it's stead we are FORCE FED Societies agenda's..
I think its a combination of crazy and sad that were in a place as a society that people still have to "come out" as gay...
Just be who you are...and everyone is what they are and great. Do what you do...We shouldn't have to applaud it, or nothing...It's just wild how in a society that is so open and everything...that when something that is in a minority does something that others are doing and theyre not being told they cant do it...that its an amazing achievement...
I'm happy that he's comfortable and happy now...I think its crazy he was unable to before...
Also...I think that as a society we celebrate so many things that should be happening and are happening that were missing on some achievements that are special...
just a thought?
At the same time...If having guys like Sam coming out will get us to a place where we don't have to celebrate things that are normal and regular and already happening...then I'm all for it.
"It has to start somewhere It has to start somehow What better place than here? What better time than now?"
I won't knock a guy for being a homosexual, but I sure as hell ain't going to applaud him.
Guess it's a character flaw.
THANK YOU VERSE! This world is TWISTED! I DO NOT HATE or condemn peoples choices because they ARE JUST THAT... CHOICES... How sad is it that there is FAR MORE outcry in our society over prayer and in it's stead we are FORCE FED Societies agenda's..
So you're saying being gay is a choice?
Am I the only one that pronounces hyperbole "Hyper-bowl" instead of "hy-per-bo-le"?
I won't knock a guy for being a homosexual, but I sure as hell ain't going to applaud him.
Guess it's a character flaw.
THANK YOU VERSE! This world is TWISTED! I DO NOT HATE or condemn peoples choices because they ARE JUST THAT... CHOICES... How sad is it that there is FAR MORE outcry in our society over prayer and in it's stead we are FORCE FED Societies agenda's..
So you're saying being gay is a choice?
You must be related to Daman Capt. Obvious.. Considering that I actually typed it twice...
Since I didn't evidently express my OPINION clearly enough then for the THIRD time YES I WAS SAYING THAT IT IS A CHOICE...
So you're telling me Manti Teo can either be a liar or so brain dead as to get catfished like he did and not have his draft stock drop, but a dude with an actual real relationship could? Just also ignoring that he's slow as molasses and got destroyed against Albama.
I'll never understand why a group of people want to be accepted and equal with everyone else, but will go out of their way to publicly announce their differences and then expect to be catered to for being different.
I don't care if you're white, black, yellow, red, male, female, gay, straight, or somewhere in between. Do your job as well as you can with a sense of pride, and no one will really care.
I have to say the responses in this thread have been... what's the word I'm looking for... predictable.
My first thought when I heard this on the news last night wasn't one of social causes, it was one of practicality... I hope the Browns don't draft him... ok, stop rolling your eyes... it has NOTHING to do with me being afraid of having a gay guy on the team and it has everything to do with the Browns not needing a media frenzy in camp this year. I was really hoping for an offseason filled with progress but otherwise uneventful.
If the Browns were to draft him, I'll root like crazy for him.. I just don't think they need that kind of distraction. I think it would be best if he went to a team like Seattle, or New England, or San Fran or even Pittsburgh, a team that stable and solid and ready to handle the added attention.
he'll be fine, as long as he does what he's suppose to do on the field. that guy is gonna be good.
there's gonna be some hazing and some horrible stuff people might say on the field, but hey, everything becomes irrelevant if he produces on the field.
i think more players would be worried if he was one of those flamboyant gays, but he's like....lol i dunno a normal one, who i guess you would've never known unless he told you, like now.
so whatever.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
I understand that this is a step the NFL was going to have to eventually take, locker rooms being accepting of a gay teammate... I think most will be ok with it. There may be a few, but I'm sure they won't be vocal about it.
If you ask me, as a fan, I don't care what your preference is on that, or anything else, if you can help my team win, I'd be happy to have you represent the Browns.
I've played hockey with and against gay people, and it really was no thing.
man sperg, we had an openly gay dude in the army this past deployment.
some of the showers were open bay down there, so of course people, including myself was worried. but man the dude wasn't like a flamming homo....that sounds bad but you get what i mean? he was just normal.
he wasn't staring at our junk or nothing like that. i think thats what i lot of people, like fans and some players, are thinking about when they think of a gay guy. maybe not on the field, but in the locker room when everybody's naked.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
I had this conversation with my girlfriend last night. I myself, never really cared about being in the locker room around a gay player. I'm sure there have been some that I didn't even know were gay...
On the flip side, I can understand someone being uncomfortable in a locker room with a gay person, because you are still getting undressed. I don't think that's being a bigot or anything... I just can't speak for anyone else but myself, and I never cared.
I actually did a charity tournament a year and a half ago to benefit the fight against MS. It was put together by a bunch of firefighters. Chicago has a gay hockey club that has its own team that plays in leagues and tournaments. They were nice enough to come and help out. I think 20 grand was raised over the weekend.
Anyway, we played them in one of the opening round games. I didn't know until after the game that it was an all-gay team. It said Chicago Gay Hockey Club on their jerseys, but I wasn't paying attention. I guess the ref warned our bench right before puck drop not to drop any f-bombs or use gay as a slur...
I feel bad for the locker room of the team that takes him (if any). The media is going to be like hounds on a raccoon. Every player on that team going to have a microphone shoved in their face, asking them "how they feel about the having a gay in the locker room" multiple times a week and, IMO, the media will turn a perhaps not-a-big-deal situation into one with animosity and etc cause of the distractions and etc that will come about.
Could it be a calculated risk to increase his exposure before the combine and draft, and avoid any "breaking news"? Figuring his teammates knew, and it was a matter of time before it came out intentionally or accidentally, best to bring it out yourself than to try to play catch up?
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
Quote: I feel bad for the locker room of the team that takes him (if any). The media is going to be like hounds on a raccoon. Every player on that team going to have a microphone shoved in their face, asking them "how they feel about the having a gay in the locker room" multiple times a week and, IMO, the media will turn a perhaps not-a-big-deal situation into one with animosity and etc cause of the distractions and etc that will come about.
Well, Manti was supposed to be a gigantic distraction on the Chargers too. That noise quited down pretty fast. And I think this will too, maybe not as fast, but will by a few weeks into the season.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
I find it absolutely amazing that he told his whole team, what is that in college, about 90 guys, his coaches, etc... and they all kept this a secret for 6 or 7 months. It's astounding that nobody during that stretch got drunk and told their girlfriend or blurted it out at a bar... Our government should send a team out to Missouri to find out exactly how to keep a secret.
Quote: I find it absolutely amazing that he told his whole team, what is that in college, about 90 guys, his coaches, etc... and they all kept this a secret for 6 or 7 months. It's astounding that nobody during that stretch got drunk and told their girlfriend or blurted it out at a bar... Our government should send a team out to Missouri to find out exactly how to keep a secret.
All that is, is having your guy's back.
And to ask our government to have each other's, or anyone else's back... lolz.
Could it be a calculated risk to increase his exposure before the combine and draft, and avoid any "breaking news"? Figuring his teammates knew, and it was a matter of time before it came out intentionally or accidentally, best to bring it out yourself than to try to play catch up?
If that's the case, as has been suggested by profootballtalk, then it's less courageous than I'd previously given him credit for.
Making a statement all of your own volition is far different than getting out in front of an inevitable story.
***Gordon, I really didn't think you could be this stOOpid, but you exceeded my expectations. Wussy. Manziel, see Josh Gordon. Dumbass.***
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