I'm Gay (Michael Sam)

[rpannier]

College Football Star Michael Sam Says He Is Gay; May Become First Publicly Gay Player in N.F.L.

Coaches at the University of Missouri divided players into small groups at a preseason football practice last year for a team-building exercise. One by one, players were asked to talk about themselves — where they grew up, why they chose Missouri and what others might not know about them.

As Michael Sam, a defensive lineman, began to speak, he balled up a piece of paper in his hands. “I’m gay,” he said. With that, Mr. Sam set himself on a path to become the first publicly gay player in the National Football League.

“I looked in their eyes, and they just started shaking their heads — like, finally, he came out,” Mr. Sam said Sunday in an interview with The New York Times, the first time he spoke publicly about his sexual orientation.

Mr. Sam, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound senior, went on to a stellar season for Missouri, which finished 12-2 and won the Cotton Bowl. He was named a first-team all-American. He was the defensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference, widely considered the top league in college football. Teammates voted him Missouri’s most valuable player.

link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/10/sports/michael-sam-college-football-star-says-he-is-gay-ahead-of-nfl-draft.html?_r=0

[No Elephants]

1. Thanks, rpannier. And the NFL supported him, too. Let's see what the teams do.

Coming up for a celebrity of any kind is still a big risk and a personal sacrifice. But it may save young lives, especially when great athletes do it. And, needless to say, the more everyone sees that gays are like everyone else, the less of a deal it become.

I don't think every gay has to make a public announcement about their sexual orientation. We certainly don't require of that heterosexuals. Unless someone is having sex with me, it's really none of my business who people have sex with.

That said, KUDOS to this particular man for coming out.

[No Elephants]

2. In other news, a 5 year old actress supposedly got death threats because the show she is on

has a gay character.

I have no idea if this story is true or not, but I would not put anything past bigots. besides, that is one cute 5 year old and you should click to see her photo, if nothing else.


http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/disney-mia-talerico-death-threats/

[Enthusiast]

4. Their fundamentalist religion teaches

these bigots to be intolerant of anything gay. Even to the point of threatening a five year old actor. Either we are going to protect gays from abuse or we are not. Do we want to be like Russia. Russia's image has taken a hit among the more civilized nations. Are we going to allow intolerant bigots to dictate to the nation?

[Enthusiast]

3. The bigots are going to have to come to terms with

their homophobia. Surely every NFL team has their intolerant players and coaches. Things are about to get interesting. It's kind of ironic that Michael Sam is a defensive end, a sort of violent position that frequently disrupts or "sacks" the quarterback. This particular gay guy is not a "sissy", lol. Another stereotype bites the dust.

I watched the Missouri Tigers play twice this past season. They were pretty darned good, probably better than my Ohio State Buckeyes.