Missouri football player Michael Sam is gay (1 Viewer)

[Koya]

Is this the same crowd that thought Tebow should have a spot on a roster because he was such devout Christian, such a good role model for kids? They didn't appear upset about the attention the media paid to a marginal QB for those reasons.

There has only been one person insisting that an inferior talent player should get a roster spot and that was Tim for Sam. Nice strawman though.

FWIW, just because Sam shouldn't make a roster does not negate the fact that his making the roster might be best, for all (the NFL, it's fan base, society at large, gay people, straight people, the kimono dragon) in the end.

I don't think making positions an entitlement based on race or sexuality is beneficial to anyone in the long run. This entitlement mentality is the downfall to real advancement.

Is this the same crowd that thought Tebow should have a spot on a roster because he was such devout Christian, such a good role model for kids? They didn't appear upset about the attention the media paid to a marginal QB for those reasons.

There has only been one person insisting that an inferior talent player should get a roster spot and that was Tim for Sam. Nice strawman though.

FWIW, just because Sam shouldn't make a roster does not negate the fact that his making the roster might be best, for all (the NFL, it's fan base, society at large, gay people, straight people, the kimono dragon) in the end.

I don't think making positions an entitlement based on race or sexuality is beneficial to anyone in the long run. This entitlement mentality is the downfall to real advancement.

That's easy to say now.

In 1965, when you are a handful of generations removed from government sanctioned SLAVERY and only, well.. days removed from government sanctioned segregation, discrimination, and in many locales, outright willful ignorance of crimes including murder against a group based on race (forget even sexuality at that point), I'd suggest that the only "entitlement" was of the white majority feeling "entitled" to subjugate the black minority.

You can try to dispute that until the cows come home, but it's the harsh reality.

ONLY 50 ####### years later, we have hardly addressed the problem adequately. If you are unlucky enough to be born poor and black, simply put, unless you are exceptionaly at overcoming the odds, you're screwed.

Now, if you are "OK" with that, admit it. I, for one, who believe in freedom and equality above all else, am not. Though I hardly have a silver bullet solution.

However, with that as backdrop, if another marginal NFL player, who likely won't see the light of day on Sunday, does not make a "roster" in a scenario that makes it far more palatable for gay players to just be who they are at heart, publicly (and not behind the veil of the closet and the pains that come with it) - and therefore advance the greater cause of freedom and equality for all?

Well, let's just say I won't lose any sleep over it.

(FWIW, on pure football alone, I do believe Sam has a chance to be a role player pass rusher on those vaunted Sundays, and I do believe if not for the "baggage" associated with Sam because he's GAY... ZOMG RUN FOR THE HILLS HOW CAN WE DEAL WITH THIS???... then he'd at the least be on a practice squad without much hullabaloo, and quite possibly a roster itself. Just my opinion)

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

I don't think making positions an entitlement based on race or sexuality is beneficial to anyone in the long run. This entitlement mentality is the downfall to real advancement.

You are talking about those white guys that resent that the preferential treatment that should be their birth rite no longer exist? (Except it never really existed.)

 

[jon_mx]

Sam was given a fair opportunity and failed on the basis of merit alone. Mostly because he was drafted by a team which is loaded with talent at that position. He has been given another opportunity where he probably will have an opportunity to play on Sunday. I see zero discrimination in this case.

 

[Koya]

Sam was given a fair opportunity and failed on the basis of merit alone. Mostly because he was drafted by a team which is loaded with talent at that position. He has been given another opportunity where he probably will have an opportunity to play on Sunday. I see zero discrimination in this case.

I agree with everything stated here, fwiw. Perhaps the worst spot for him to land.

It may have been as big, if not bigger, story (with more upside, achem) if he was a signed as a FA being non drafted... especially if he made a team, legitimately.

 

[sharplogos]

Who is Michael Sam?

 

[squistion]

Who is Michael Sam?

Better question. Who is sharplogos? A poster who opened his account in April of 2003 but has made just 42 posts in 11 years and only 2 posts that the forum has any record of at all in recent years.

When I see these decade old accounts suddenly become active I wonder if there is some black market selling abandoned handles to posters who have been banned.

Maybe this poster has just been lurking since 2003 and suddenly has taken an interest again in this site, but it looks really odd to me.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Who is Michael Sam?

Better question. Who is sharpologos? A poster who opened his account in April of 2003 but has made just 42 posts in 11 years and only 2 posts that the forum has any record of at all in recent years.

When I see these decade old accounts suddenly become active I wonder if there is some black market selling abandoned handles for posters who have been banned.

I wish I could remember the password of my username in 2003.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Ironically the Rams may now be in need of a D.E. with Chris Long going down.

 

[fatness]

Who is Michael Sam?

Sam he am.

 

[roadkill1292]

Who is Michael Sam?

Better question. Who is sharplogos? A poster who opened his account in April of 2003 but has made just 42 posts in 11 years and only 2 posts that the forum has any record of at all in recent years.

When I see these decade old accounts suddenly become active I wonder if there is some black market selling abandoned handles to posters who have been banned.

Maybe this poster has just been lurking since 2003 and suddenly has taken an interest again in this site, but it looks really odd to me.

When somebody I don't know does something really stupid I always suspect a Peens alias.

 

[jonessed]

Who is Michael Sam?

Better question. Who is sharplogos? A poster who opened his account in April of 2003 but has made just 42 posts in 11 years and only 2 posts that the forum has any record of at all in recent years.

When I see these decade old accounts suddenly become active I wonder if there is some black market selling abandoned handles to posters who have been banned.

Maybe this poster has just been lurking since 2003 and suddenly has taken an interest again in this site, but it looks really odd to me.

There should be a Congressional investigation.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

Who is Michael Sam?

Better question. Who is sharplogos? A poster who opened his account in April of 2003 but has made just 42 posts in 11 years and only 2 posts that the forum has any record of at all in recent years.

When I see these decade old accounts suddenly become active I wonder if there is some black market selling abandoned handles to posters who have been banned.

Maybe this poster has just been lurking since 2003 and suddenly has taken an interest again in this site, but it looks really odd to me.

There should be a Congressional investigation.

It would be more productive than anything this House has done.

 

[fatness]

FWIW, just because Sam shouldn't make a roster does not negate the fact that his making the roster might be best, for all (the NFL, it's fan base, society at large, gay people, straight people, the kimono dragon) in the end.

When was the bolded established?

 

[dgreen]

FWIW, just because Sam shouldn't make a roster does not negate the fact that his making the roster might be best, for all (the NFL, it's fan base, society at large, gay people, straight people, the kimono dragon) in the end.

When was the bolded established?

He was born that way.

 

[Green and Gold]

Is this the same crowd that thought Tebow should have a spot on a roster because he was such devout Christian, such a good role model for kids? They didn't appear upset about the attention the media paid to a marginal QB for those reasons.

There has only been one person insisting that an inferior talent player should get a roster spot and that was Tim for Sam. Nice strawman though.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I wasn't referring to anyone in this thread, but to the video posted by MT.

 

[Al O'Pecia]

FWIW, just because Sam shouldn't make a roster does not negate the fact that his making the roster might be best, for all (the NFL, it's fan base, society at large, gay people, straight people, the kimono dragon) in the end.

Is the kimono dragon what Sam wears in the bedroom?

 

[Henry Ford]

FWIW, just because Sam shouldn't make a roster does not negate the fact that his making the roster might be best, for all (the NFL, it's fan base, society at large, gay people, straight people, the kimono dragon) in the end.

Is the kimono dragon what Sam wears in the bedroom?

I think it's what he has lurking beneath his robe.

 

[squistion]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/12/cowboys-like-what-theyre-seeing-from-michael-sam/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Cowboys like what they’re seeing from Michael Sam

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 12, 2014, 8:54 AM EDT
Unlike the preseason when he was with the Rams, there’s no visual evidence to interpret on Cowboys practice squad defensive end Michael Sam.

But Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said he’s seen progress already in the two weeks Sam’s been on hand.

“He’s done some good things,” Marinelli said, via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “The only thing he really gets is some of our individual periods and then he gets some one-on-one rushes on Wednesday, and I think he’s gotten a little bit better.

“But it’s tougher for a practice squad guy because these other guys here, they’re pounding with all week long in terms of fundamentals and game-planning and those things. So it’s a little tougher, but he’s got movement. I like his quickness and his instincts. He’s got really good work habits, so just keep working to develop him.”

Being out of the spotlight and working on his game is a new experience, as his every move was watched during his time with the Rams. But Cowboys defensive end Jeremy Mincey came up the practice squad route himself, and he knows it can help.

“He’s doing a good job,” Mincey said of Sam. “He works hard. He does what you ask of him and that’s all you can do in this league. . . .

“He’s won a lot of rushes. He’s doing a good job. He’s got a lot to learn and that comes with experience. I was just like him, a young guy on the practice squad, so it’s a good developmental phase for him to get better.”

Given the current state of the Cowboys defense, any able body might help them, so it’s reasonable to think Sam’s going to get his chance to be the league’s first openly gay player at some point this season.

 

[squistion]

Paul Lander ‏@paul_lander

Michael Sam has to be thinking, "this being an NFL Player sets a bad example for other gay people."

 

[fatness]

Paul Lander ‏@paul_lander

Michael Sam has to be thinking, "this being an NFL Player sets a bad example for other gay people."

 

[Spartans Rule]

Rams on pace to be the worst pass rushing team in NFL history.

 

[Fennis]

http://www.tmz.com/2014/10/07/aries-spears-no-need-to-apologize-for-michael-sam-gay-joke/

Aries Spears says he will NOT apologize for cracking a gay joke about Michael Sam on ESPN last week -- telling TMZ Sports, "There's nothing to apologize for. It's a joke."

Spears was at LAX Monday -- and acknowledged he ruffled some feathers when he appeared on "Sportsnation" and said, "I went out and got my first Michael Sam jersey. It's got 15 S's on the back."

"Disney runs [the network]," Spears told us ... "They got their guidelines."

But Spears was adamant that he did NOTHING wrong -- saying he likes Michael Sam ... wishes him well in the NFL ... and was just being funny, NOT malicious.

As for whether Spears will be back on ESPN, the comedian says he's up for it ... as long as ESPN's cool with

Can someone explain the joke to me?

 

[Raider Nation]

http://www.tmz.com/2014/10/07/aries-spears-no-need-to-apologize-for-michael-sam-gay-joke/

Aries Spears says he will NOT apologize for cracking a gay joke about Michael Sam on ESPN last week -- telling TMZ Sports, "There's nothing to apologize for. It's a joke."Spears was at LAX Monday -- and acknowledged he ruffled some feathers when he appeared on "Sportsnation" and said, "I went out and got my first Michael Sam jersey. It's got 15 S's on the back."

"Disney runs [the network]," Spears told us ... "They got their guidelines."

But Spears was adamant that he did NOTHING wrong -- saying he likes Michael Sam ... wishes him well in the NFL ... and was just being funny, NOT malicious.

As for whether Spears will be back on ESPN, the comedian says he's up for it ... as long as ESPN's cool with

Can someone explain the joke to me?

Killer lisp joke.

 

[Fennis]

http://www.tmz.com/2014/10/07/aries-spears-no-need-to-apologize-for-michael-sam-gay-joke/

Aries Spears says he will NOT apologize for cracking a gay joke about Michael Sam on ESPN last week -- telling TMZ Sports, "There's nothing to apologize for. It's a joke."Spears was at LAX Monday -- and acknowledged he ruffled some feathers when he appeared on "Sportsnation" and said, "I went out and got my first Michael Sam jersey. It's got 15 S's on the back."

"Disney runs [the network]," Spears told us ... "They got their guidelines."

But Spears was adamant that he did NOTHING wrong -- saying he likes Michael Sam ... wishes him well in the NFL ... and was just being funny, NOT malicious.

As for whether Spears will be back on ESPN, the comedian says he's up for it ... as long as ESPN's cool with

Can someone explain the joke to me?

Killer lisp joke.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSam doesn't make sense for a lisp. I mean neither is funny, but if you're going to make a lisp joke, Tham is better than SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSam.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Cut from the Cowboys practice squad. How do you get cut from a practice squad?

 

[dickey moe]

Update: still gay

 

[TheIronSheik]

Update: still gay

We still love and support you though, GB.

 

[Sweet J]

With Arakpo out and the pass-rush a mess, I'd love to see the Redskins sign him.

 

[Yenrub]

Cut from the Cowboys practice squad. How do you get cut from a practice squad?

The team is only allowed to have 'x' amount of practice players

They must have released him to make room for someone else

 

[Tom Servo]

Tim's "The NFL is homophobic" rant is on approach to runway 2-9er....

 

[Scoresman]

With Arakpo out and the pass-rush a mess, I'd love to see the Redskins sign him.

if he was cut from a practice squad, he's probably not a very good football player.

 

[jon_mx]

Tim's "The NFL is homophobic" rant is on approach to runway 2-9er....

Rant? More like balistic missiles.

 

[FlapJacks]

With Arakpo out and the pass-rush a mess, I'd love to see the Redskins sign him.

if he was cut from a practice squad, he's probably not a very good football player.

he looked OK in preseason...wasn't he the SEC DPoY?

 

[Parrothead]

With Arakpo out and the pass-rush a mess, I'd love to see the Redskins sign him.

if he was cut from a practice squad, he's probably not a very good football player.

he looked OK in preseason...wasn't he the SEC DPoY?

and he was the BoY ToY

(blitzer of the year and tackler of the year)

 

[Tom Servo]

With Arakpo out and the pass-rush a mess, I'd love to see the Redskins sign him.

if he was cut from a practice squad, he's probably not a very good football player.

he looked OK in preseason...wasn't he the SEC DPoY?

Have you watched an SEC game? Defense is optional most times...

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I don't know if it's been mentioned but the Cowboys also called up LB Keith Smith from the PS to the active roster.

Demarcus Lawrense has also rejoined the active roster so someone is probably being kicked back down to the PS to take Sam's place.

 

[squistion]

From Phil Taylor at Sports Illustrated:

http://www.si.com/sportsman/2014/11/03/phil-taylor-sportsman-nominee-michael-sam

My 2014 Sportsman nominee: Michael Sam

Michael Sam did what no NFL player or prospective draftee had ever done before by publicly declaring that he is gay. Becoming the first player to find the courage to do that would have made him worthy of being named Sportsman of the Year alone. But Sam showed an even greater dignity in the paths he chose not to take, the words he chose not to speak.



He could have pointed out that it probably wasn’t just a coincidence that right after he came out, he seemed to go from being considered no worse than a middle-round draft choice to a marginal prospect who had no NFL position. But he didn’t.



He could have demanded an apology from ESPN after the network’s absurd preseason report on his locker room showering habits and his teammates’ reaction to them. But he didn’t do that either.



He could have lashed out at the way the celebratory kiss he shared with his boyfriend after getting the news that the St. Louis Rams had drafted him was analyzed and judged. Should the TV cameras have shown it? Was it too long? But he let the criticisms and comments pass.



He could have given a much harsher response to coach-turned-analyst Tony Dungy after Dungy was quoted as saying he wouldn’t have drafted Sam because of the distractions a gay player would cause. But Sam chose the high road. "Thank God he wasn't the St. Louis Rams coach," he said. "I have a lot of respect for coach Dungy and like everyone in America, everyone is entitled to their own opinions." He could have turned Dungy’s comments into a much bigger story if he had wanted to. But he didn’t.



Sam could have played it all so differently. He could have tried to tap into our sympathies, presented himself as a victim struggling against the homophobia of the league and of segments of the public. But he repeatedly said he wanted to be considered a football player first, and he backed that up by simply playing football. He never complained about things he had every right to complain about.



By choosing not to do anything except play, Sam showed a toughness that can’t be measured by tackles or sacks. He left the social commentary to others, knowing that he would lend power to the LGBT struggle for equality just by putting on his pads. Even though he hasn’t made it into a regular season NFL game yet -- he was cut by the Rams in the preseason and then released from the Cowboys practice squad – his mere presence in the league has made a difference.



In his acceptance speech after winning the Arthur Ashe Courage award at the ESPYs in July, Sam told a story of speaking with a woman who was considering suicide rather than coming out to her loved ones. “When we spoke she told me that she would never consider hurting herself again and that somehow my example would help,” he said. “To anyone out there, especially young people, feeling like they don’t fit in and will never be accepted, please know this: great things can happen if you have the courage to be yourself.”



Sam proved that this year with everything he said and did. And everything he did not.

 

[jon_mx]

From Phil Taylor at Sports Illustrated:

http://www.si.com/sportsman/2014/11/03/phil-taylor-sportsman-nominee-michael-sam

My 2014 Sportsman nominee: Michael Sam

Michael Sam did what no NFL player or prospective draftee had ever done before by publicly declaring that he is gay. Becoming the first player to find the courage to do that would have made him worthy of being named Sportsman of the Year alone. But Sam showed an even greater dignity in the paths he chose not to take, the words he chose not to speak.



He could have pointed out that it probably wasn’t just a coincidence that right after he came out, he seemed to go from being considered no worse than a middle-round draft choice to a marginal prospect who had no NFL position. But he didn’t.



He could have demanded an apology from ESPN after the network’s absurd preseason report on his locker room showering habits and his teammates’ reaction to them. But he didn’t do that either.



He could have lashed out at the way the celebratory kiss he shared with his boyfriend after getting the news that the St. Louis Rams had drafted him was analyzed and judged. Should the TV cameras have shown it? Was it too long? But he let the criticisms and comments pass.



He could have given a much harsher response to coach-turned-analyst Tony Dungy after Dungy was quoted as saying he wouldn’t have drafted Sam because of the distractions a gay player would cause. But Sam chose the high road. "Thank God he wasn't the St. Louis Rams coach," he said. "I have a lot of respect for coach Dungy and like everyone in America, everyone is entitled to their own opinions." He could have turned Dungy’s comments into a much bigger story if he had wanted to. But he didn’t.



Sam could have played it all so differently. He could have tried to tap into our sympathies, presented himself as a victim struggling against the homophobia of the league and of segments of the public. But he repeatedly said he wanted to be considered a football player first, and he backed that up by simply playing football. He never complained about things he had every right to complain about.



By choosing not to do anything except play, Sam showed a toughness that can’t be measured by tackles or sacks. He left the social commentary to others, knowing that he would lend power to the LGBT struggle for equality just by putting on his pads. Even though he hasn’t made it into a regular season NFL game yet -- he was cut by the Rams in the preseason and then released from the Cowboys practice squad – his mere presence in the league has made a difference.



In his acceptance speech after winning the Arthur Ashe Courage award at the ESPYs in July, Sam told a story of speaking with a woman who was considering suicide rather than coming out to her loved ones. “When we spoke she told me that she would never consider hurting herself again and that somehow my example would help,” he said. “To anyone out there, especially young people, feeling like they don’t fit in and will never be accepted, please know this: great things can happen if you have the courage to be yourself.”



Sam proved that this year with everything he said and did. And everything he did not.

Actually, he only became a marginal prospect after his combine performance. I guess he could have #####ed about sucking at combines, but chose not to.

 

[avoiding injuries]

Why stop at sportsman of the year?

 

[McGarnicle]

Great courage on his part and all that, but sportsman of the year is nuts.

 

[Godsbrother]

Great courage on his part and all that, but sportsman of the year is nuts.

I guess it took courage but I wonder if he was just looking for his 15 minutes of fame. Had he not come out no one would know who he is.

 

[jon_mx]

Great courage on his part and all that, but sportsman of the year is nuts.

One would assume you would actually have to play a sport.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Great courage on his part and all that, but sportsman of the year is nuts.

It's not like "Sportsman of the Year" is based on some objective criteria or even something where you can do an apples-to-apples comparison like MVP awards. It's a nonsense honor created to by a magazine to sell their magazine. They can base it on anything they want.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

From Phil Taylor at Sports Illustrated:

http://www.si.com/sportsman/2014/11/03/phil-taylor-sportsman-nominee-michael-sam

My 2014 Sportsman nominee: Michael Sam

...

Is this award for sportsmanship on the field?

 

[TobiasFunke]

Great courage on his part and all that, but sportsman of the year is nuts.

One would assume you would actually have to play a sport.

Nope. Lots of coaches have won it.

Other non-playing winners: Arthur Ashe won it 12 years after he retired, for activism, and in 1987 they gave it to "athletes who care," listing seven athletes, six of whose names you probably wouldn't recognize.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Great courage on his part and all that, but sportsman of the year is nuts.

It's not like "Sportsman of the Year" is based on some objective criteria or even something where you can do an apples-to-apples comparison like MVP awards. It's a nonsense honor created to by a magazine to sell their magazine. They can base it on anything they want.

That may be, like Time's "Man of the Year".

 

[avoiding injuries]

Great courage on his part and all that, but sportsman of the year is nuts.

It's not like "Sportsman of the Year" is based on some objective criteria or even something where you can do an apples-to-apples comparison like MVP awards. It's a nonsense honor created to by a magazine to sell their magazine. They can base it on anything they want.

That may be, like Time's "Man of the Year".

And readers can conclude whether the nomination was ridiculous or not.

 

[McGarnicle]

Great courage on his part and all that, but sportsman of the year is nuts.

I guess it took courage but I wonder if he was just looking for his 15 minutes of fame. Had he not come out no one would know who he is.

I take him at face value and if he's been a role model for gay youth, then that's wonderful and he'll probably do well with appearances and endorsing gay-related products (lube, Bud Light, etc.).Sportsman of the year should be reserved for athletes who excel in their sport in addition to whatever cues the soft piano music on ESPN.

 

[the moops]

was looking at the list of previous winners. sure are a bunch of disgraced athletes/coaches on it.

mcgwire, Sosa, Armstrong, Tiger, paterno

 

[fantasycurse42]

I don't really think he helped gay athletes at all.

The next time there is a marginal/borderline talent that has a chance at making the team, they might look at Sam and think it might be better to remain quiet.

The only way a gay athlete can change things is if he is a superstar, not a Sam or Jason Collins kinda guy.