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

They shouldn't have to worry about it...but when they, as you said, "beat it into the ground" what kind of reaction do you think they were looking for?

 

Never said it was. You're the one who said it somehow didn't matter because ESPN "has shown worse."

This is now beyond the level of making sure a potential NFL player doesn't face discrimination for his lifestyle. You're lecturing a guy because he doesn't want his kids to see something on TV. That's lame. Get a grip.

 

In this case you have to beat something into the ground to normalize it.

2 dudes kissing. Get used to it.

 

Ben, I feel your pain, mate. There are a growing number of things in the world that I wouldn't want kids that age exposed to. I'm sure you'll handle the situation well.

 

The NFL is full of thugs these days. Does that not disgust anyone?

 

2 dudes kissing 47 times. Get real used to it.

 

I never lectured him once. The network has zero responsibilty in whether he is comfortable in talking to his kids about it or not.

My point being is if your kids are watching ESPN they have seen worse than two adults kissing.

I understand that it will make people uncomfortable, even people who aren't homophobes and are accepting of homosexuals. The majority of America still has never seen two men kiss.

 

I fully support Sam and am glad that the Rams gave him the opportunity. Yet I was a little uncomfortable with seeing the kiss on ESPN. The first time, it was just a spontaneous emotional reaction, so OK. But I really didn't need to see it repeatedly. I'm not sure if I would feel the same way if was McCarron-Webb or some other couple.

 

What were you exposed to growing up Mark?

 

I started to explain to them...and within two minutes they had both wandered off to play with their Star Wars Legos. So I guess it wasn't that traumatic for them. They are both great kids...really sweet-natured. The oldest one, if he would have stuck around for the explanation, probably would have ended up asking if people were mean to him because he is different.

 

It's not the network's job to hammer something into the ground just because it will make people uncomfortable. It is the network's job to make some effort to figure out the news value of events.

ESPN failed utterly and completely on those two points.

 

People are talking and the ratings are big, if that's not the networks job than what is?

I am sick of it as well, just like Favre and everything else that ESPN overdoes but obviously there is a huge audience for it.