Sexual preference… Talk about a hot topic! It seems like every day something is on the news about being gay. In today’s society some dudes like dudes and some girls like girls. My opinion aside, why in the world is this such an incredibly polarizing topic?
Yesterday the sports world exploded as future NFL player Michael Sam announced he is gay. He did not say that he can see through walls, he did not say that he can fly, he simply stated that he is only attracted to men. It sounds sorta silly if you put it that way.
In all honesty, the story centers more on acceptance rather than his preference. A league full of barbaric alpha males can’t possibly accept a gay man into their mix can they?
Consider the facts…
Out of high school, Michael was a two star athlete. Once considering Arizona State and Colorado State, he eventually chose Missouri. Rivals states that at that time he ran the 40 in 4.6 and could bench 270 pounds.
Fast forward to the present, Sam was last year’s SEC leader in tackles for loss (18) and is said to be quick off of the ball. Everything about the guy isn’t sunshine, he is considered small to be a full time NFL DE. Truth be told, teammate Kony Ealy (6’5 275) may be the better pro prospect and is going higher on many mock drafts.
Being gay is not a set of brand new PF Flyers. It does not make you run faster and jump higher. It will not make him quicker around the edge, it will not help him use a swim move to slip a defender, and will not help him decipher wether a run or pass is in front of him.
Simply put, being gay, straight, purple, or green the football simply doesn’t care. Teams are going to line up, Peyton Manning is going to say Omaha, and Eli Manning will throw interceptions. If the man can play, he will be accepted.
However, here is the tricky part. Say he struggles… Miami Dolphins first round pick Dion Jordan proved it can happen… Jordan is much bigger than Sam and much more athletic. He barely seen PT this season as he simply couldn’t find a spot. If Sam has the same problem, some will say that it is due to him being gay, not his football skill set. That is where the problems arise.
All in all, it may be a huge deal to be the first (out spoken) gay athlete in the NFL to some, but he isn’t the first and won’t be the last.
TKCsports 