His teammates at Missouri have known for at least a year when he came out to them in a team building exercise. His teammates said they knew long before that but were glad he finally had the courage to come out to them. Last month at an all-star game Michael's agent was asked whether Michael had a girlfriend or if anyone had seen him with women and whether it was possible for Michael to start dating a woman before the NFL Draft. Yeah, they wanted that. If this guy drops lower than the second or third round then you know that the portrait portrayed by the former punter for the Minnesota Vikings of the league and its teams as homophobic is probably true. There would be no other reason not to draft the guy other than his sexuality and it will be interesting to hear the explanations teams give as to why they didn't draft him. I'm guessing it will be things like, "He didn't fit our needs or what we were looking for at that pick."
oh here it is the biggest story of the dy. Good luck to him.
ReplyDeleteC'mon! This is no big deal: football players wear capris and slap each other on the ass!
ReplyDeleteGood for him and much luck. :)
I know, right? Between the capris and the shoulder pads, it's a big old Audrey Hepburn meets Joan Crawford--couldn't be any gayer!
Delete(Stereotypes humorously intended.)
I'm guessing some variation of "locker room poison" but I sincerely hope that things won't go that way. I don't watch a lot of football but I don't remember anyone having to have sex on the field, so it shouldn't matter, right? Maybe in the European leagues...I kid!
ReplyDeleteFinally. This took courage. I'll be rooting for whatever team he plays on. He seems like a genuinely great guy.
ReplyDeleteIf he tests well I hope the Hawks draft this guy. We have the right community, and a strong, open locker room, This took more courage and heart than anything he will face on the field. For anyone paying attention that is a warrior's heart. Can't wait to see him knock someone the F... Out.
ReplyDeleteGood fit. Seahawks would be a great team for him.
DeleteGreat coomen! Go Seahawks
DeleteThe NFL and Russia - the last vestiges of homophobia. Hey NFL - is this how you want to be known? Good luck to Mr. Sam and good post, Enty.
ReplyDeleteLOL @ Meanie!
ReplyDeleteGood for him! I can't wait for the day when this isn't even news anymore.
Oh, and Kermie, I can pretty much guarantee you he will not be having "sexy thoughts" in the locker room showers. That's not how it works.
I hope this doesn't hurt his chances or his draft position. It was smart to come out now, though. If he signed with a team, it would be much more difficult for him to come out with pressure from his organization to not do it.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, "locker room poison" is a thing and a reason why some teams won't pick him up. They'd have to be assured that none of their current players would mistreat him (or, at least, that enough open-minded players would keep the others in check). You can always tell when locker room problems spill out onto the field and no one wants that.
Best of luck ( insert rant about player sexual misconduct here) its not like the NFL doesn't have a scandal handle routine all ready to leap into action. Just a little rewording about How their standing behind him and the rest of the speech will work just fine...:-\
ReplyDeleteIf he came out and admitted to theft, drug use, or had a history of beating women it would be more accepted by NFL types. Sad.
ReplyDeleteSo true, and so sad. :(
DeleteIf he came out and admitted to theft, drug use, or had a history of beating women it would be more accepted by NFL types. Sad.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vXbmlOPPoQ
ReplyDeleteshouldn't be an issue, but I think it might end up hurting his draft stock.
ReplyDeleteUgh I just made the mistake of reading some Yahoo comments, Yes I do think it will hurt his chances. Because our nation is full of idiots.
ReplyDeleteJust saw him interviewed and he spoke so eloquently about how his team mates supported him and it just was not an issue with them, which is exactly how it should be in life.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that this is news. I personally don't care who anybody sleeps with, as long as its not children or animals.
ReplyDeleteGood for him though.
Michael Stipe said it best (I paraphrase): "my sex life is nobody's business, unless they're sitting on my cock."
DeleteThat aside, it's a huge move to do it now; it's a litmus test of NFL franchises. The draft went from zero to ten for me...
Total Snark said...
ReplyDeleteThe NFL and Russia - the last vestiges of homophobia.
It is a crime under Islamic law to be gay.
Would you like a list of countries that live under Islamic law?
msgirl, never read Yahoo comments on anything! they make Youtube seem refined
ReplyDeletehe's not a 2nd-3rd rounder. He's been projected anywhere from late 3rd to eartly 5th. He is undersized but will make a team. He can rush the passer.
ReplyDeleteI wish him the best. Some great, supportive, tweets and general comments coming from NFL players and Missouri's Gov. Not the same as getting drafted (we shall see about that), but definitely an opportunity that many are taking to demonstrate their view on it and hopefully help reduce the stigma among fans and the general public.
ReplyDeleteIf front offices can be convinced that this is not a "distracting" issue or problem for their locker-rooms, that will make all the difference.
Very curious to see how this plays out. If he gets drafted, I think the we'll see the coming out of a sitting NFL player (maybe even two) within the year.
That last prediction is very possible, @nomnom.
DeleteIf it's what they want (to come out), I hope this helps.
Truly, though, I'd love to live in a world where this doesn't matter. I appreciate that many are uncomfortable or even disgusted by it, but as long as no one is being abused, coerced, violated, physically or emotionally harmed...and as long as all parties involved are of age and intelligence to decide...then bang away and be a decent human being.
I couldn't care less what floats your boat--be upright, and honest. Avoid treating people poorly.
(That last bit had as much to do with heterosexual relationships as anything else.)
"Oh no. I've said too much. I haven't said enough."
Is that you in the corner, Sprink? Or is that you in the.spotlight?
DeleteTTM - I watched the movie 42 about Jackie Robinson this weekend so it seems a bit ironic. In some dressing room scenes. Jackie would shower last by himself so he wouldn't offend the players that did not accept him until one of the players who did accept him asked why aren't you showering with the team and convinced him to start. That is how and where change starts.
ReplyDeleteIn this day and age I would be shocked that not every player in the NFL at least knows one person who is gay or even has at least one gay friend.
Good for him. He seems like a pretty secure guy. And exactly IJU, this shouldn't be news and yet it still is.
ReplyDeleteHe is a huge asset to Mizzou & is one of the main reasons the team was 12 & 2 this year, their first in the SEC. He was also team MVP. i am so proud of my team for supporting him & he has more courage than most twice his age. Draft chances or not he's the first to declare his honest life more important than an organization's BS image. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm very proud of him for coming out I look forward to the day when this isn't news.
ReplyDeleteI will cheer for whatever team drafts him.
+1 :)
DeleteThe Seahawks would be a great fit, our state is super cool and low key. A lot of great people here and an NFL team that could support him through it. GO HAWKS
ReplyDeleteI think from a career standpoint it was a dumb decision. Butttt if he thinks that personally its gratifying to come out like that then more power to him. Any team hiring him is going to see him as a potential liability though. Scouts for teams are looking for good solid players with no unnecessary drama in new hires.
ReplyDeleteFantastic that he felt his right to be himself was more important than feeling forced to hide who he is. I too wish this was a non-issue. He will be so much happier for being true to himself, I wish him a wonderful life.
ReplyDeleteI dont see why he has to come out, but whatever. I wish him luck.
ReplyDeleteThe Hawks don't really need a pass-rushing linebacker, but if he's available in the third or fourth round they might as well draft him for depth. Seattle is one of the few teams/cities where he can go and his orientation would be accepted without being a big deal.
ReplyDelete@msgirl, Yahoo comments are a cesspool. I think they're only rivaled in distastefulness and ignorance by the bottom-feeders on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteMy niece goes to school with him and says in addition to his football skills, he's a great guy off the field.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to hear!
DeleteHe's a great player, so any team that drafted him would be getting a good one.
ReplyDeleteProud of him. @msgirl - *never* read yahoo comments!! Ever!
ReplyDeleteYou know it's a great angle for him, too. If he doesn't get drafted or drafted high enough for his liking, he can sue the NFL for discrimination.
ReplyDelete