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

[Drip]

Again, WHO GIVES A shirt? As long as he can play, it should not be an issue.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Another thing to keep in mind about Sam's public-service obligations is, how long will he be the only known gay player? I for one believe the talk to be legitimate that four NFL players were ready to come out last year until the Collins story hit. And it might not be much longer before we see a handful, then a dozen, then a large enough number that it isn't too noteworthy anymore.

So there's a good chance that Sam in three years is nothing more than a decent backup (or starter) whose personal life isn't all that remarkable.

And if the rumors are true (I have zero idea if they are...) there may have been some pretty prominent players in that group.

I hope this opens doors for other players in the NFL and other sports to come out. The more this happens, the easier it will be for the Michael Sams out there.

 

[YankeeFan]

But it's up your alley! "Aw shirt, that story? That's old news. I just couldn't tell you about it."

Oh, yeah. Just give me a little time to respond before you accuse me of shirking my duty!

It is sort of interesting. He and his agents/PR guy were worried about someone else breaking the story, and the Caleb Hannan/Dr. V story is even mentioned as a reason for why it held as long as it did.

But, would anyone have actually broken it?

If anything, I think we may have seen a story that a potentially high draft choice was preparing to come out. I don't think anyone would have attached a name to it -- much like what happened last year, with the four potential vets who were supposed to come out.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Again, WHO GIVES A shirt? As long as he can play, it should not be an issue.

Drip, I think we all agree with that sentiment, but we all know unfortunately, it's not going to be that simple.

 

[Liut]

I'd say it's a safe bet we'll get some Burwell on "The Sports Reporters."

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Aside from police reports or legal documents, is there a single recent instance of a sports journalist outing a player? It's hardly uncommon for writers to suspect, or even know, that someone is, and they don't do anything about it, nor should they.

 

[printit]

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.

Yeah, after a couple of weeks in Denver, no one was writing about Tim Tebow.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Aside from police reports or legal documents, is there a single recent instance of a sports journalist outing a player? It's hardly uncommon for writers to suspect, or even know, that someone is, and they don't do anything about it, nor should they.

It wasn't really a "player," but there was that whole Grantland kerfuffle about the transgender golf club inventor last month ...

 

[LongTimeListener]

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.

Yeah, after a couple of weeks in Denver, no one was writing about Tim Tebow.

Arguing that Tebow is a precedent for another player's publicity demands is like arguing that everybody should wait until the sixth round to take a quarterback because Tom Brady panned out.

Tebow was a Halley's Comet of factors. And, actually, for the brief time he was in a place that knew how to manage it (New England) he was a complete non-entity in the media.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Oh, it will be a circus until the regular season starts...

The level of circus will depend on where he's drafted.

If the Patriots take him, he'll probably talk twice between draft day and the start of the season.

If the Jets take him and they didn't learn anything from Tebow's time there, ESPN will be camped out at every mini-camp and training camp practice.

 

[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.

Yeah, after a couple of weeks in Denver, no one was writing about Tim Tebow.

OK. Let's explore. How does this situation compare?

First off, you're talking about a "quarterback controversy" that always draws attention. Through in his unconventional style, the winning streak, and his outspoken Christian values, and he drew a whole bunch of attention.

Will Sam's situation compare? I doubt it.

He's unlikely to be outspoken. He's not the quarterback. He will draw in new fans, and some non-traditional fans, but not as many as Tebow.

How many extra media members are likely to be at a midweek practice halfway through the season, or even at a game? How many columns will still need to be written?

Maybe an extra reporter will or two from gay publications will cover the team. But, unless he's making news, he's not going to draw a big press contingent.

Ichiro and Matsui, and now Tanaka brought along a traveling circus of Japanese media. This isn't going to happen with Sam.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Aside from police reports or legal documents, is there a single recent instance of a sports journalist outing a player? It's hardly uncommon for writers to suspect, or even know, that someone is, and they don't do anything about it, nor should they.

I was in college when it happened, but wasn't it USA Today that wrote that Arthur Ashe had AIDS. I remember hearing that Bryant Gumbel and a few other members of the media knew, but wouldn't write it, but USA Today got wind of it and wrote it even when Ashe asked them not to.

Is it news? Sure, but I don't think there are too many traditional media places that would do that.