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

[YankeeFan]

Question for YF:

If this guy was really the second coming of Lawrence Taylor, and a proven commodity whose draft value had already been factoring in his sexual orientation, why didn't a veritable national army of NFL Draft hobbyists notice this obvious anomaly before last night?

It doesn't sound like many had him as a top pick. He is "small" and will likely have to play a different position in the NFL.

I just think people are giving themselves a lot of leeway when they say he's likely to go between the 3rd and 7th round.

There's no anomaly, since they've ranked him as high as the 3rd. It would only be if he went in the late rounds, or undrafted that folks would be forced to dig deeper.

 

[Boom_70]

A few weeks ago went to a dinner honoring HS football players in area. Guest speaker was former Steeler and Georgia Bulldog Tim Worley. Doubt the kids knew who he was other than being a former NFL player but the guy was just a commanding, dynamic speaker so they listened. Beside the usual go to college, stay away from drugs, etc etc Worley told many NFL anecdotes,some serious , some funny.

He told a story about Craig "Ironhead " Heyward when they played for The Bears. First game on the road he gets assigned to room with Ironhead. Worley can't sleep because of Heyward's loud snoring. Trys throwing stuff and nothing works till he gets out of bed and plants a kiss smack on Ironhead's lips. Ironhead shot up out of bed and never shut his eyes rest of night. Worley got his sleep but said Heyward looked at him funny rest of year.

Funny story that made everyone laugh but also the true NFL mentality that will
make it very difficult for Sam.

 

[YankeeFan]

Through no fault of his own, he will be a distraction. Tim Tebow was a distraction. The distraction factor comes in when 1. medial types from outside football all of a sudden want to cover your team and 2. media/fans want you to play/not play regardless of ability. Tebow (who was a crappy NFL quarterback) fit both of these. Sam fits both of these. That's not fair, but it is real.

Honestly, this is bs. Entertainment Tonight is not going to follow the St. Louis Rams around, seven days a week, at home and on the road, for six months.

Some extra reporters will be at camp. But, they won't stick around unless they get red meet. And, a good organization will make sure they don't. This isn't that hard, especially in the NFL, where the coaches control access.

 

[Stoney]

Question for YF:

If this guy was really the second coming of Lawrence Taylor, and a proven commodity whose draft value had already been factoring in his sexual orientation, why didn't a veritable national army of NFL Draft hobbyists notice this obvious anomaly before last night?

When did anyone ever say he was "the second coming of Lawrence Taylor"? Criminy, talk about a blatant strawman.

He's not. But he was the SEC Defensive POY. I believe you'll find that every guy who's won that award was drafted, and nearly all of them high in the first round. If the first time one gets snubbed also happens to be first ever openly gay player you can be assured plenty of eyebrows will be raised and few will think it just coincidence.

 

[LongTimeListener]

This reminds me of the talk about coaches in 2001, when all 11 openings went to white guys. There was a lot of "I'm OK with a black coach, but other guy isn't" as the NFL covered its asses again.

You guys are letting them off way too easy. NFL locker rooms are workplaces. And honestly, if Sam doesn't get a fair chance, and with the Kluwe/Priefer situation and the Martin/Incognito situation and language and things like Chris Culliver, there would be enough reason to look into a discrimination case.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

How much of the anonymous badmouthing of Sam as a prospect is NFL front offices seeing a God given chance to get a third round (or whatever) player for sixth round money and doing some market manipulation? Happens every year with dozens of players, just not on such newsworthy grounds.

 

[Steak Snabler]

A few weeks ago went to a dinner honoring HS football players in area. Guest speaker was former Steeler and Georgia Bulldog Tim Worley. Doubt the kids knew who he was other than being a former NFL player but the guy was just a commanding, dynamic speaker so they listened. Beside the usual go to college, stay away from drugs, etc etc Worley told many NFL anecdotes,some serious , some funny.

He told a story about Craig "Ironhead " Heyward when they played for The Bears. First game on the road he gets assigned to room with Ironhead. Worley can't sleep because of Heyward's loud snoring. Trys throwing stuff and nothing works till he gets out of bed and plants a kiss smack on Ironhead's lips. Ironhead shot up out of bed and never shut his eyes rest of night. Worley got his sleep but said Heyward looked at him funny rest of year.

Funny story that made everyone laugh but also the true NFL mentality that will
make it very difficult for Sam.

Funny story, but that was almost 25 years ago.

It's not as big a deal to guys who are 25 now (though I'm not saying it's not a big deal).

 

[Boom_70]

Question for YF:

If this guy was really the second coming of Lawrence Taylor, and a proven commodity whose draft value had already been factoring in his sexual orientation, why didn't a veritable national army of NFL Draft hobbyists notice this obvious anomaly before last night?

When did anyone ever say he was "the second coming of Lawrence Taylor"? Criminy, talk about a blatant strawman.

He's not. But he was the SEC Defensive POY. I believe you'll find that every guy who's won that award was drafted, and nearly all of them high in the first round. If the first time one gets snubbed also happens to be first ever openly gay player you can be assured plenty of eyebrows will be raised and few will think it just coincidence.

Of the past 10 winners - 7 still in the NFL not counting Rolando
McClain who would be if he did not retire.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Question for YF:

If this guy was really the second coming of Lawrence Taylor, and a proven commodity whose draft value had already been factoring in his sexual orientation, why didn't a veritable national army of NFL Draft hobbyists notice this obvious anomaly before last night?

When did anyone ever say he was "the second coming of Lawrence Taylor"? Criminy, talk about a blatant strawman.

He's not. But he was the SEC Defensive POY. I believe you'll find that every guy who's won that award was drafted, and nearly all of them high in the first round. If the first time one gets snubbed also happens to be first ever openly gay player you can be assured plenty of eyebrows will be raised and few will think it just coincidence.

I agree, depending on his combine performance. (And, come on, the Lawrence Taylor comment was hyperbole for effect.)

But YF challenged his draft ranking before last night. And, yet, none of the sleuths on here thought it unusual at all that he was projected to go anywhere from the 3rd to 7th round. Nobody.

You know why? Because it wasn't.

P.S. Two years ago, none of you SEC fan bois would have been pumping a Mizzou player like this. He got real fast, real quick!

 

[93Devil]

I'm willing to bet folding money that a current HOF player, probably more than one, is or was gay.

I am also willing to bet folding money that a current player, who every GM in the league would love to have, is gay.

Sexual orientation has nothing to do with athletic ability.

 

[LongTimeListener]

And, yet, none of the sleuths on here thought it unusual at all that he was projected to go anywhere from the 3rd to 7th round. Nobody.

Seventh round was definitely seen as unusual. Boom posted the link that had him #119 overall, which is high to mid fourth round depending how many compensatory picks are doled out.

Moving the low end down to seventh round (with the implication that "undrafted" was a possibility even before this) is a big leap.

 

[Boom_70]

And, yet, none of the sleuths on here thought it unusual at all that he was projected to go anywhere from the 3rd to 7th round. Nobody.

Seventh round was definitely seen as unusual. Boom posted the link that had him #119 overall, which is high to mid fourth round depending how many compensatory picks are doled out.

Moving the low end down to seventh round (with the implication that "undrafted" was a possibility even before this) is a big leap.

4th to 7th would be a pretty big drop unless he has a bad combine.