Public service announcement...

It's a HUGE deal in the St. Louis media (with non-stop national coverage from here as well) .......enough to make me turn off ESPN radio when I drive.  I just think the video is funny considering what passes for acceptable to a lot of NFL fans.

Hell, I don't worry about dumping on the thread.  I think you have a point with Tebow, etc.....but let's face it, acceptance kind of runs along with what is fashionable and what isn't.  Wearing your religion on your sleeve isn't in fashion......but gay people are trending upward.  That's a good thing for gay people and I'm ok with it.....it's about time.  A lot of the problems with religion and it's public acceptance by all have been brought about by religious organizations themselves....and even religion itself. Not too many wars being fought over sexual preference these days. 

I've actually come full circle and I think  the press coverage is a good thing.  I figured I was already passed the point where I cared about someone's sexual orientation.....and then I saw the video of Sam's kiss with his partner.  I'm a Midwest kid, and I realized as I was watching the video that I'd never seen two men show that kind of affection toward each other.  Admittedly,  I was kind of taken aback by it.  I had to stop and think about what it was that bothered me (bothered may not even be the right word) about it.  I was just kind of, "wow, I've never seen that before".  After a bit of self-reflection I came to the conclusion that there was nothing about it that should bother me.  So, if someone like me who hasn't been exposed to it, but already figured that someone's sexual orientation was their own business, can come some further steps toward complete acceptance, why wouldn't it be the right thing to show to everyone?

I have followed Michael Sams' career closely since he played for my favorite college team, and already knew he was an outstanding young man, long before he came out that he way gay.  Like DanielG said, he's a class act, full of life and on his way to a great future, in anything he does.  I think the press is a good thing, and we all stand to benefit from Michael Sams' show of character.

And I agree, I think the press is a good thing.  Yes people may be sick of hearing about it and the issues surrounding it, but they are the current issues of the times.  Like I've said in other threads I think it is important for people who have the potential to become role models to be who they are and be open about it.  You have no idea what it could mean to some kid out there questioning his/her sexuality.  It gives them an anchor saying that it's okay to be gay.

It's a first - firsts are always big.  There will be a time when stuff like this not be news but I don't think that will be for a while. 

Justin - for whatever it's worth, I always remember your posts about the subject of being out in the media, and they helped change my opinion. Thanks, because I think you've got it right.  I wouldn't want a child of mine to ever feel like they had to hide who they were. 

The NFL would have asked.  It is one of the questions that are asked on the psych test I believe.  So he wanted to get ahead of it before it got ahead of him.  

More than anything, I look forward to a day when we don't have to worry about it.  But judging by the reactions of some current and former NFL players, and the twitterverse, we aren't past it yet.

It's looked at as a very positive thing by a lot of people, and I can't possibly figure out what any negative side would be, so it's all good as far as I'm concerned.

The black box?

He was a late round draft pick, but I do think his coming out had something to do with that.  Regardless of what people say.  Yes he is a tweener (LB/DL) and he had a bad combine, but...

1.  He did lead his team in Tackles, and had several good years.  Enough to make him a team captain.

2.  He also was co-defense player of the year in the SEC (arguably the toughest conference in college football).

This was the lowest a SEC player of the year has ever been drafted.  Hard to argue that teams just didn't want the distraction.  That is why I find it hard to believe that his draft position equates to his ability to play and that he will be hanging on to make the team.  My guess is that St. Louis, if they can get by the sideshow, got a steal on this player.