paul carruthers Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Ok, I know we usually wait until the draft to start the new year's football thread, but this has been the hot story all morning on ESPN... http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10429030/michael-sam-missouri-tigers-says-gay My thoughts: I don't know if we're living in a world where the NFL is ready for an openly gay player. I would hope I'm wrong about this & I'm sure there are gay players currently playing who have stayed in the closet & that's their personal right to do so. I just think there are too many knuckleheads & with the man's man culture of the league for everyone to embrace this kid. Again, I hope I'm wrong & this will open the door, however slight that opening may be for more athletes to come out. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in_the_evening Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 He seems to be getting a very warm reaction from his college in Mississippi, a state with not exactly liberal tendencies towards gays. So maybe it's a sign he'll be accepted and OK. Edit: my bad, he's from Missouri. Still a state that is not overly warm in it's acceptance of gays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrum Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I'm waiting for the 49ers and Seahawks to butt heads again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Given the right climate and locker room, he should be a fine player. There are way more gay guys in the NFL locker rooms than everyone thinks. Glad he had the courage to come out in a sport that definitely is tough to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I'm a glass half full kind of guy usually, so I would like to think he'll be accepted. But if you've ever gone to a baseball or football game, you know the stands are still filled with racist, sexist, and violent invective. And soccer games in Europe and South America can be even worse. There are some pig-headed macho countries down there. I actually think the actual players in the NFL will be more accepting than the fans at first. It'll be a gradual thing...it always is when a barrier is broken. The first one takes the heat that paves the way for the rest who follow. It happened to Jackie Robinson when he became the first black in MLB, Curt Flood when he broke the reserve clause chains and created free agency, and Sally Jenkins when she became the first woman reporter in the locker room. I wish the guy luck...it's 2014 and well past time for gay athletes not to be afraid to compete openly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pottedplant Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I guess I am just a backward southerner from one of those anti-gay states; I mean hell, I can't even do simple math. What I find perplexing is that it is even an issue that needs to be brought to the attention of the public. If the young man is a good player, why is it a big deal at all? Seems silly and Unwarranted to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul carruthers Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 Maybe we are living in a new world; so far it seems like most of the players & NFL personnel are saying the right things as far as would they accept the kid in their lockerroom. I guess we'll know a lot more come NFL Draft Day & see where exactly Sam goes in the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedZeppfan77 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Maybe we are living in a new world; so far it seems like most of the players & NFL personnel are saying the right things as far as would they accept the kid in their lockerroom. I guess we'll know a lot more come NFL Draft Day & see where exactly Sam goes in the draft. He may as well come to Buffalo. I do not have a problem with him. But Mack will go higher I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in_the_evening Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I guess I am just a backward southerner from one of those anti-gay states; I mean hell, I can't even do simple math. What I find perplexing is that it is even an issue that needs to be brought to the attention of the public. If the young man is a good player, why is it a big deal at all? Seems silly and Unwarranted to me. My apologies Potted, I did not intend to stereotype everyone from Southern states. He seems like a superb player, so I say just let him play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pottedplant Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Oh, intheevening, you are always such a fine gentleman. I did not in any way mean to direct my snarky reply to you. There are some saying that a player by the name of Cole is more talented than Sam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkyPhantom Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Obviously the statements from the teams are the PR departments saying the right things, but a lot of the local sports writers around here have sources that indicate team executives see it as a potential distraction. Which is ridiculous...just because someone is gay does not make them an animal. The guy is an All-American Defensive player, he's got the same upbringing as anyone else. That being said, if he falls far enough in the draft, i'd be happy if the Raiders took him. God knows we need some D-Line help with Houston potentially testing free agency (though he did have a fairly flat season), and the lack of any other playmakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Doesn't matter to me. If Richard Simmons could play defensive end, I'd want the Raiders to get him if he could help the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedZeppfan77 Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Doesn't matter to me. If Richard Simmons could play defensive end, I'd want the Raiders to get him if he could help the team. I think they already have him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in_the_evening Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 There was a radio show n the other day, and they were saying "OBVIOUSLY, San Fran would be a good fit", lol, why because it has a fairly large gay population? And then some jokester called in who identified himself as gay, and said "Just think of all the good play by play we could have! Wow, he knows how to get a sac doesn't he! And look how he cradles the ball when he holds it" etc etc. Actually pretty amusing. I agree with others, if he can help a team, take him. It's not like he's gonna be jumping dudes in the locker room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in_the_evening Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I heard this the other day too, something like 20 plus players on the Seahawks were UNDRAFTED. So much for getting great value in the draft.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I think they already have him Ummm, I think you're confusing Richard Simmons with Richard Seymour? I heard this the other day too, something like 20 plus players on the Seahawks were UNDRAFTED. So much for getting great value in the draft.... Which is a major reason the Cleveland Browns just canned their front office after firing their coach. After the success of the Seattle Seahawks, the pressure is on front offices around the League to do a better job identifying and picking talent and stop wasting picks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 ^ You know the Cowboys are screwed with Jerrah in charge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul carruthers Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 ^^ Didn't the Cowboys hire yet another O-coordinator this offseason or am I mistaken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 They did! Detroit's...figure if you can't beat 'em, hire 'em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul carruthers Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 Heh, maybe one day Jerry will get a head coach in there who can give the Boys the kick in the ass they need. I keep thinking Bill Cowher might fit that bill... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Well, now that Cleveland Browns have napalmed their staff, QB Brandon Weedon wants out. Which, since his QBR is the lowest in the League, I'm sure Cleveland will be happy to accommodate a trade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrum Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Well, now that Cleveland Browns have napalmed their staff. I'm sure Cleveland will be happy to accommodate a trade. I worked for these guys for a lot of years. http://www.clevelandwrecking.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul carruthers Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share Posted February 14, 2014 Well, where ever Michael Sam ends up in the draft, I'm pretty sure he won't end up being a Dolphin (good grief).... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Well, where ever Michael Sam ends up in the draft, I'm pretty sure he won't end up being a Dolphin (good grief).... Could you imagine Sam and Incognito on the same team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul carruthers Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share Posted February 14, 2014 ^^ No, not really. It's hard for me to imagine Incognito playing for anybody, but I think some organization somewhere might give him a chance. As long as you have a speck of ability, there will be someone willing to give a second or third or fourth chance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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