Michael Sam is a defensive end who played his College football for the University of Missouri, he is 6'2 255 lbs and who happens to be gay.
Michael was born in Galveston, Texas 01/17/1990 (24 years old) went to High School at Hitchcock Texas then attended the University of Missouri from 2009-2013 where he was a consensus All-American in 2013 and First Team all SEC in 2013. In Michael Sam's senior season he was rewarded as the 2013 SEC defensive player of the year and finished the season with a Cotton Bowl win over Oklahoma State where he recorded three tackles, one solo, two assist and had one sack. In 2013 he ranked number one in the SEC with 12 sacks and finished ranked seventh in the entire NCAA.
That was a quick summary of who Michael Sam the football player is and in the interest of football those are the things that should matter and what teams should be looking at, but reality says that those won't be the only things that outside people, players and organizations will be evaluating and taking into account. I believe the decision to publicly come out will have some consequence is it right or wrong to believe that, well that is totally up to you as a person and your views. I am not here to change anybody beliefs or views toward the subject of homosexuality, what i am reporting is that things wont be as bright as some will have you believe.
In my opinion there will be guys in that locker room that will feel uncomfortable and will for sure not agree with his lifestyle, but where i feel this will be an issue is if a team decides to select him late in the draft or if and when he gets drafted he might not be making the strides the team hoped and they have to cut him or release him, then the questions will come about is he getting cut, released or was he drafted later because of his sexuality and honestly that's not fair. Any team that drafts Michael Sam should not feel obligated or scared of backlash due to the young man's sexuality, I don't think it was his goal to demand attention and or pity, but at the same time the media will be waiting to pounce on any slip up by an organization and its players.
Reports from NFL sources and evaluations done prior to him coming out, read as " smallish for an NFL defensive end or pass rushing outside linebacker at 6-2 and 255 pounds, Some teams feel he will be neutralized by bigger athletic NFL tackles, the positive that has been said is that NFL teams are always looking for a situational pass rusher and that he is also known for being a team guy.
I do Believe majority of his new teammates will accept him and support him where ever he ends up, but the team that does draft him must be ready to take on his presence along with the media bringing up his sexuality, how the team is coping, if everyone is respecting him, have their been issues and so on, i mean the questions will come non-stop and then you have to deal with the slurs that will come his way, so in saying all that the team that drafts or thinks about drafting him will have some things to weigh and come to a decision if that is a road they want to go down at this point.
In a perfect world should it matter that he is gay? the answer is no, but will it to some absolutely because you have people in the locker rooms from all walks of life, some are religious beliefs, some is just hate, some is not understanding or being exposed to those type of relationships, some will honestly say I don't care as long as he helps us win, but in saying all that i do want to make one thing clear that if we expect the rest of the world to respect Michael Sam for who he is, then in the same breathe those same people asking for that respect should also learn to adhere to another's opinion, what i mean everyone should have a right to feel how they do and should not be made to feel like a monster or some kinda big-git because they do not agree.
