Michael Sam: Barrier-breaking status becomes NFL 'test case'

NFL.com: Mizzou DE Sam 'comes out,' tests NFL's tolerance limits​

I like Michael Sam as a person and as a DE for Mizzou these last four years. I came to know of him first as a football player and then as a student athlete who does massive amounts of charity work in and around Columbia. It surprised me when he made his "outing" Sunday, but my reaction was less surprising to me: It didn't make any difference to me.

I've always made the commitment to show them love and share the gospel when given the opportunity. Sam makes it possible to see them more than a victim of their own error. He is a highly intelligent, very talented young man. What did surprise me was the reaction of several mock draft preparers. Many of them dropped him out of his long-time projection as a late second- to early fourth-round selection,, some by as many as 70 spots on their boards. Because he's gay? How does that make him a less talented DE? Obviously, it doesn't.

More importantly, how does it reflect on the NFL's attitude toward gays? It seems those mock drafters believe Sam will be a distraction for any team that selects him. Well, I'd say that goes without saying. Sam is taking a great risk in making his sexual preference known.

Did he need to do that? Debatable. If we think there aren't "unknown" gay men in pro sports locker rooms all over the U.S., we're being naïve. They've kept it hidden, though undoubtedly a few of their trusted teammates know.

Why wouldn't Sam just join the crowd in the closet? I find I can't answer that question, and no one is going to ask it publicly, because it isn't "politically correct." What are your thoughts?

 

Obviously I've probably seen him play more than anyone on the board, but I think, despite my being a Mizzou fan, I could project him as a good outside linebacker for several teams in the NFL. He'll need to put some weight on, but I think he already knows that.

Yes, he told them in summer camp last August, asking them to keep it among the team because he didn't want to distract from what he thought even then was going to be an outstanding season for Missouri, nor did he want it coming out prior to Signing Day last week, which I'm not sure was a real concern, given he wouldn't be with the team when this year's recruits show up for summer drills.

It is a bit much, isn't it? But while there may be a bunch in the closet, he's the only one out in the hallway so far, so he's going to be the subject -- or the target, depending on what any one commentator's agenda is.