Missouri’s Michael Sam is about to become the most discussed player in the 2014 NFL draft after he announced he is gay in a series of interviews yesterday.
As we have written about many times before, the sports world is slowly starting to catch up with the rest of society when it comes to equality for gay athletes. While sport still has a long way to go, the likes of Jason Collins in basketball, Robbie Rogers in the MLS and our own Donal Og Cusack in GAA have shown, to varying degrees, that gay sports people is really no big deal any more.
With that in kind, we wonder how that most macho of sports, American football, will take the news that top draft prospect Michael Sam is set to be the first openly gay player to enter the draft.
Sam, a 24-year-old defensive end, was one of the best defenders in the all powerful SEC conference and he was projected to go somewhere in the third round or so in the draft in May. Where he will actually go now after this news will be fascinating to watch.
In interviews with ESPN, The New York Times and Outsport yesterday, Sam said: ‘I’m Michael Sam. I’m a football player and I’m gay. I just want to own my truth before anyone breaks a story about me.’
‘I am an openly, proud gay man. It’s a big deal. No one has done this before. And it’s kind of a nervous process, but I know what I want to be … I want to be a football player in the NFL.’
The NFL has already welcomed Sam’s announcement. ‘We admire Michael Sam’s honesty and courage,’ they said in a statement.
‘Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014.’
The NFL has strict anti-discrimination policies that cover asking draftees about their sexuality but just last week, a well-known name in the league suggested that life for a gay player in the NFL could be difficult.
Jonathan Vilma, a New Orleans Saints linebacker, told the NFL Network that he did not want a gay team-mate.
“I think he would not be accepted as much as we think he would be accepted,” said Vilma, who has played in the league for over a decade.
Sam will attend the combine later this month, where his athletic abilities will be closely scrutinised to see just how fit for the NFL he is. Let’s hope his private life doesn’t become a factor too.
