Openly Gay NFL Player?

[Bill W]

Michael Sams, an All-American defensive end and SEC co-defensive player from Missouri has announced that he is gay prior to the NFL draft.  He says he told his college team back and August and didn't have any problems and he's predicted to be selective in the third to fifth round of the NFL draft.  

[Daddydavek]

The New York Times has the full story which can be found at the following link:

 

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

[Graeme]

I wish him all the best. I've read a recent article indicating that while officially the NFL has an anti-discrimination policy, the actual situation is the exact reverse (as indicated in the NY Times article where the scouts asked questions about if he had a girlfriend or was seen with women). I hope there's an NFL team out there that wants his skills and aren't homophobic.

[Mark Arbour]

One of our Mizzou boys.  

 

Feeling Tiger pride!

[Krista]

He's very brave, nothing is guaranteed for him and he still went ahead and told his story. I hope he does well.

[methodwriter85]

   Good for him.

[JamesSavik]

It helps that he's a very talented, fast defensive player. Probably projects to be an outside linebacker.

 

Many teams may not want the press distractions, others may eat it up. It's all about the team ownerships and their front offices take on the situation.

 

 

Scouting Reports:

 

12/11/13 - 2013 ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM (COACHES): DL - Michael Sam, Missouri...Sam led the SEC in both quarterback sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (18.0), ranking in the top-10 nationally in both categories. - Missouri football

 

12/13/13 - 2013 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: DL Michael Sam, Missouri, 6-2 255, Sr., Hitchcock, TX...Sam becomes the 33rd First-Team All-American in school history, the seventh at Mizzou for Head Coach Gary Pinkel, and the school's first defensive selection since former great Justin Smith in 2000. Sam ranked among the most disruptive defensive players in the nation this year, and his play was a key factor in Mizzou's surge into the top-10. He led the Southeastern Conference in both quarterback sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (18.0), ranking in the top-10 nationally in those categories.

 

12/26/13 - CBSSPORTS.COM ALL-AMERICANS: FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE AS NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS: DE - Michael Sam, Sr., Missouri: In leading the SEC with 18 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks through the regular season, Sam certainly has the production against top competition to intrigue scouts. He's very quick off the snap, showing the ability to attack off the edge as well as the burst to penetrate through gaps. At 6-foot-2, 255 pounds, Sam could earn the dreaded 'tweener label from scouts who may see him as too short for defensive end and a project as a stand-up outside linebacker, pushing the productive defender into the second or even third round. Sam's 6-foot-5, 275-pound teammate, Kony Ealy, in fact, ranks higher on NFLDraftScout.com's rankings. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

 

02/09/14 - Missouri's Michael Sam says he's gay in advance of 2014 NFL Draft...Former Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam, the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, is set to enter the 2014 NFL Draft under unique circumstances. Sam will enter the NFL as the league's first openly gay player. Sam was interviewed Sunday by the New York Times and ESPN. He told the media entities he came out of the closet and told his teammates "I'm gay" earlier during the 2013 season. "I looked in their eyes, and they just started shaking their heads — like, finally, he came out," Sam said Sunday. This was the first time Sam has spoken publicly about his sexual orientation, and he's about to put the NFL on a different axis. Sam does not project as a first-round pick in our 2014 NFL Mock Drafts, but he's the ninth-ranked defensive end and the 90th-ranked player overall on NFLDraftScout.com's big board. In other words, he will be drafted by someone and he will become the first openly gay player in the NFL, barring any other revelations between now and the time he's drafted and signs his contract. Sam told the Times he believed that rumors about his sexual orientation were circulating and decided to get ahead of the press. "I just want to make sure I could tell my story the way I want to tell it," Sam said. "I just want to own my truth." - Will Brinson, CBSSports.com

 

 

Before this, he probably would be drafted at the bottom of the 2nd round-3rd or top of the fourth. It all depends on needs analysis of the teams. He's rated as the draft's 9th best defensive end and he played in the powerful, competitive South Eastern Conference.

 

At this point who will draft him and in what round is up in the air. Look at teams that need defensive help on the outside and/or are looking for depth at linebacker. A lot of teams need linebackers as they get hurt a lot and in the thirty-four defense you need them four at a time.

 

I like him at outside linebacker. From his game film he looks really good in lateral pursuit and knows how to attack the angles. He's fast off the ball and can blitz or cover. He a natural for the 3-4.

[Mark Arbour]

It helps that he's a very talented, fast defensive player. Probably projects to be an outside linebacker.

 

Many teams may not want the press distractions, others may eat it up. It's all about the team ownerships and their front offices take on the situation.

 

 

 

 

Before this, he probably would be drafted at the bottom of the 2nd round-3rd or top of the fourth. It all depends on needs analysis of the teams. He's rated as the draft's 9th best defensive end and he played in the powerful, competitive South Eastern Conference.

 

At this point who will draft him and in what round is up in the air. Look at teams that need defensive help on the outside and/or are looking for depth at linebacker. A lot of teams need linebackers as they get hurt a lot and in the thirty-four defense you need them four at a time.

 

I like him at outside linebacker. From his game film he looks really good in lateral pursuit and knows how to attack the angles. He's fast off the ball and can blitz or cover. He a natural for the 3-4.

 

I think what will really be interesting (and telling) is if there are teams who need defensive help, and for whom he would be a natural fit, but they pass on him. 

[JamesSavik]

Just off the top of my head there are the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys. They both come off years where they defenses ranked near the bottom of the league. Either would be a good fit on paper. They both need defensive speed on the outside.

 

Of course the Vikings, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Philly and Green Bay were all so bad on the defensive side of the ball that they'll have to address it in the draft or free agency.

 

There is a draft philosophy in drafting for a position and taking the best athlete available.

 

Literally any team could draft him. I just hope they are looking for a player and not a side show.

 

Depending on the team he could be an immediate starter or a special teams player. He's been banging heads with the monsters in the SEC. He should be ready to play at this level.

 

2013 Team Defense Stats:  total yards, yards/game, total passing yards allowed, passing yards allowed/game, rushing yards allowed, rush/game, points/game

 

 

1  Seattle            4378 273.6 2752 172.0 1626 101.6 231 14.4

2  Carolina          4820 301.3 3429 214.3 1391 86.9 241 15.1

3  Cincinnati        4888 305.5 3344 209.0 1544 96.5 305 19.1

4  New Orleans   4891 305.7 3105 194.1 1786 111.6 304 19.0

5  San Francisco 5071 316.9 3536 221.0 1535 95.9 272 17.0

6  Arizona             5079 317.4 3728 233.0 1351 84.4 324 20.3

7  Houston            5081 317.6 3123 195.2 1958 122.4 428 26.8

8  NY Giants         5316 332.3 3573 223.3 1743 108.9 383 23.9

9  Cleveland         5319 332.4 3538 221.1 1781 111.3 406 25.4

10 Buffalo             5334 333.4 3271 204.4 2063 128.9 388 24.3

11 NY Jets            5359 334.9 3947 246.7 1412 88.3 387 24.2

12 Baltimore         5368 335.5 3681 230.1 1687 105.4 352 22.0

13 Pittsburgh        5395 337.2 3546 221.6 1849 115.6 370 23.1

14 Tennessee       5407 337.9 3612 225.8 1795 112.2 381 23.8

15 St. Louis           5520 345.0 3874 242.1 1646 102.9 364 22.8

16 Detroit              5546 346.6 3950 246.9 1596 99.8 376 23.5

17 Tampa Bay       5568 348.0 3806 237.9 1762 110.1 389 24.3

18 Washington      5665 354.1 3896 243.5 1769 110.6 478 29.9

19 Denver              5696 356.0 4070 254.4 1626 101.6 399 24.9

20 Indianapolis       5713 357.1 3711 231.9 2002 125.1 336 21.0

21 Miami                5750 359.4 3752 234.5 1998 124.9 335 20.9

22 Oakland            5819 363.7 4092 255.8 1727 107.9 453 28.3

23 San Diego         5864 366.5 4139 258.7 1725 107.8 348 21.8

24 Kansas City       5885 367.8 3962 247.6 1923 120.2 305 19.1

25 Green Bay         5956 372.3 3956 247.3 2000 125.0 428 26.8

26 New England     5969 373.1 3824 239.0 2145 134.1 338 21.1

27 Atlanta               6070 379.4 3897 243.6 2173 135.8 443 27.7  

28 Jacksonville       6070 379.4 3962 247.6 2108 131.8 449 28.1

29 Philadelphia       6307 394.2 4636 289.8 1671 104.4 382 23.9

30 Chicago             6313 394.6 3730 233.1 2583 161.4 478 29.9

31 Minnesota          6365 397.8 4598 287.4 1767 110.4 480 30.0

32 Dallas                 6645 415.3 4589 286.8 2056 128.5 432 27.0

 

I always find these stats interesting. We can tell that a dominate defense equaled a championship.

 

Despite being horrible, Houston's defense was a respectable 7th in the league.

 

But look at how the other teams fared. Carolina's defense took them deep into the playoffs while Denver's offense kept them in it to the super bowl.

 

There's a lot more than meets the eye to this game.

Edited February 10, 2014 by jamessavik

[Bill W]

Dallas is at the bottom of the list, and he is a Texas boy that played at Missouri, but I wouldn't mind seeing him go to my number 27the defense, the Atlanta Falcons. 

[W_L]

One of our Mizzou boys.    Feeling Tiger pride!

Send us your gay defensive ends, we'll whip em in shape up here in new england. It would be a good change of news versus hearing about hernandez murder case again. Plus if he wants to get married, adopt a kid, or be by the bed side of his partner, he's covered up here.

 

Name a region or team that is better for him (san fran made the homophobic jabs earlier)

[Mann Ramblings]

I just want to see him drafted. With his talent, I'd hate to see him passed over because of coming out. It would be so nice that this wasn't an issue in the first place, but it has to happen at some point.

 

Good luck, Mr. Sam!!

[MikeL]

Yahoo Sports has an interesting article about Michael Sams' potential acceptance into the NFL:

 

 

Michael Sam's brave declaration, made Sunday to the New York Times and ESPN, shows he is ready for the intense scrutiny that will come with being the first active NFL player to be openly gay. Whether the NFL is ready is another question altogether. And because of Sam's timing, it's a question the whole league has to answer.

 

If a current professional player came out as gay, enormous pressure would fall on his team. How would the locker room react? How would coaches react? Fans? The community?

 

 

I heartily recommend you read an entertaining and thought-provoking new story at GA about a gay player's acceptance in Aussie Rules football...Graeme's Leopard Skin Cover.

Edited February 11, 2014 by MikeL

[JamesSavik]

I read that Sam came out because of media pressure.

 

They had the story from on campus sources as far back as the Senior Bowl and wanted to run with it.

 

Sam elected to come out rather than being outed by the media.

[W_L]

I read that Sam came out because of media pressure. They had the story from on campus sources as far back as the Senior Bowl and wanted to run with it. Sam elected to come out rather than being outed by the media.

Further proof that privacy does not exist

 

Besides, he will probably get some great sponsor deals from being the 1st.

 

Come on kitty cat, there is nothing wrong with simple acceptance versus complex denial. He could have pulled the john travolta card and denied despite a million reports.

[MJ85]

WFAA Dallas's Dale Hansen Delivers Jaw-Dropping Speech on Gay NFL Players

[Thorn Wilde]

Here's a video of the speech mentioned in MJ's post above. I found it in my Facebook feed today, figured I'd share. I don't care one bit about the NFL, but this is a very good speech. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olc5C4SXAYM

[Zombie]

It's an excellent speech. Just seems weird coming from a TV anchor.

[Thorn Wilde]

It's an excellent speech. Just seems weird coming from a TV anchor.

 

Sometimes people have opinions they feel the need to share.

[Daddydavek]

Despite he was a very late pick, Michael Sam was drafted today by the St. Louis Rams!

 

Missouri Rocks!

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-sam-drafted-by-st-louis-rams-to-nfl/

[Mann Ramblings]

[wildone]

Well Michael may have been not picked up by the NFL, but he has signed a contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

 

Yes, I know a lot of people will say it is nothing but hitting rock bottom, but in the same sense a lot of the NFL's better quarterbacks and linemen have come from a successful career in playing 3 down football.

 

For Michael, I think this is good for him. He will get a great opportunity to make a team that is one of the best in the East and not have the overbearing media attention that followed him everywhere in the US. Hope that gives him the opportunity to shine and maybe, just maybe get noticed by the NFL again. No, he won't be rich playing up here, but he might have fun. Also, maybe just a bit different attitude from the majority of people who probably don't really give a hoot who he sleeps with.

 

We'll see

[methodwriter85]

Can we be honest? It's not going to be a big deal unless someone on the level of Aaron Rodgers comes out.

[Krista]

Can we be honest? It's not going to be a big deal unless someone on the level of Aaron Rodgers comes out.

 

Aaron 'bedroom eyes' Rodgers better stay in the closet.. for meee.  

[FrenchCanadian]

 

For Michael, I think this is good for him. He will get a great opportunity to make a team that is one of the best in the East and not have the overbearing media attention that followed him everywhere in the US. Hope that gives him the opportunity to shine and maybe, just maybe get noticed by the NFL again. No, he won't be rich playing up here, but he might have fun. Also, maybe just a bit different attitude from the majority of people who probably don't really give a hoot who he sleeps with.

 

We'll see

 

The media attention might be less in the CFL than in the NFL... however, he will still have plenty of it in Montreal. 

 

Just for the press conference he had... it was packed from all the sport journalist as well as lifestyle journalist. the LGBT magazine Fuges even sent a journalist to cover the event... 

 

And the first "incident" about him being gay, in the press, happened.

Edited June 8, 2015 by FrenchCanadian