SEC Sack Leader and NFL Prospect Michael Sam comes out

[VanillaGorilla]

Michael Sam, an All-American defensive lineman from Missouri Tigers and the Associated Press' SEC Defensive Player of the Year, said that he is gay in interviews with ESPN's "Outside the Lines" and the New York Times on Sunday.

Sam stated publicly what his teammates and coaches at Mizzou have known since August: "I am an openly, proud gay man."

Sam is eligible for the NFL draft in May. Assuming that he is drafted, Sam could become the first openly gay player in the history of the NFL.

In 2014, "Gay Man to Enter Workforce" has the everyday-occurrence sound of a headline in The Onion. But when the NFL is involved, it's a first -- and potentially a landmark moment -- in the history of American sports.

Sam's decision to speak out now comes after his experience two weeks ago at the Senior Bowl, where, he said, many already seemed aware of his sexual orientation.

"I didn't realize how many people actually knew, and I was afraid that someone would tell or leak something out about me," he said. "I want to own my truth. ... No one else should tell my story but me."

He had already confided in a few close friends, Sam recalled, and had dated a fellow athlete who was not a football player -- so while coming out to his Mizzou teammates last year was a key moment, it came almost as an afterthought, during preseason training camp.

"Coaches just wanted to know a little about ourselves, our majors, where we're from, and something that no one knows about you," Sam said. "And I used that opportunity just to tell them that I was gay. And their reaction was like, 'Michael Sam finally told us.' "

Asked what that moment felt like, Sam said, "I was kind of scared, even though they already knew. Just to see their reaction was awesome. They supported me from Day One. I couldn't have better teammates. ... I'm telling you what: I wouldn't have the strength to do this today if I didn't know how much support they'd given me this past semester."

He did not ask them to keep his revelation a secret.

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[3RA1N1AC]

something something tight end something wide reciever something something

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Its a good thing that he was able to do this on his own terms.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

something something tight end something wide reciever something something

something something sack leader.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

something something BBC interview

 

[Rhal]

And now he will drop to the sixth round and someone will get an absolute steal in the draft.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Don't think it'll affect his draft stock. never heard of him before though. Eventually this will all just fade into obscurity. I mean its not like Manti Teo, where the guy has some screws loose.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

he is an attractive man

 

[MARIS61]

Making it hard on himself.

Knowing he's gay will make straight men try harder to avoid his clutches.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

Its a good thing that he was able to do this on his own terms.

What happened to "He's just an attention whore"?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

What happened to "He's just an attention whore"?

The way the story was written about the Wilamette Kicker, it seemed it was more about him being some sort of spokesperson/advocate and to "educate" his ignorant hometown. It seemed very contrived and about drawing attention to himself.

Michael Sam is just trying to live his life. I don't think he's doing this to be the "first openly gay NFL player". His sexuality is just a part of who he is, he just wanted to clear the air so he doesn't get outed by Deadspin or something.

 

[KingSpeed]

Great news.

 

[KingSpeed]

I know what he means too. When I was interviewing managers 8 years ago, I told them all that I was wrestling with bipolar disorder. I wanted to be accepted for who I was.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Don't think it'll affect his draft stock. never heard of him before though. Eventually this will all just fade into obscurity. I mean its not like Manti Teo, where the guy has some screws loose.

He was co-DPOY in the SEC. He was a damn good player and this may affect his draft stock just because some teams wont want to deal with the media circus that will come along with him.

 

[PapaG]

It's about time somebody came out. Hopefully this leads to a lot more players in others sports being able to be themselves, and not hide from who they are.

Tim Tebow, it's your turn!

 

[PapaG]

he is an attractive man

His teeth are a bit jacked up.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

If everyone was perfect you'd just be average

he'll get them shits capped and be an underwear model

 

[crandc]

His story is amazing - if you saw the whole ESPN interview. Pretty much everyone in his family seems to be in prison, he said he wanted to find another path and did.

I say, Seahawks should draft him. It would be perfect. As the defending Super Bowl champs, their story line for next season is written; will they repeat? So a 4th to 6th round draft pick could never be THE story. They have an adoring fan base, an owner who supports equality, and a state that legalized marriage equality by popular vote. As Yente said in Fiddler on the Roof, "it's a perfect match!"

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Why not draft him based on his skills and a team's needs and NOT because he's gay just to make a story?

hoop fam

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

He was co-DPOY in the SEC. He was a damn good player and this may affect his draft stock just because some teams wont want to deal with the media circus that will come along with him.

My guess is that come August, no one is even talking about it. He was projected to be a low 3rd/high 4th before. It is hard for any defensive player to get press unless he pulls a Richard Sherman.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Why not draft him based on his skills and a team's needs and NOT because he's gay just to make a story?

hoop fam

Exactly. Every team is thinking about winning football games, not writing a story.

 

[cmeese47]

No wonder he was so good at getting to the QB all he wanted to do was cuddle and lay on top of another man.

 

[MARIS61]

Checkmate.

[video=youtube;l79j_7gYKtk]

 

[Further]

[video]

A rap about it. Good and poignant, and fun too. Skip the first 1'15" if you want to go right to the lyrics. The first part is just sounds.