Posted on 02/11/2014 12:51:23 PM PST by Second Amendment First
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Michael Sam was the loud country boy who wore a tank top and a cowboy hat. He was the smooth-singing baritone who could irritate his coaches and crack up his teammates with his improvised songs.
He was one of the best players to come out of tiny Hitchcock, Tex., where his family was well known for all the wrong reasons. He was an all-American and defensive terror on the football field. He was a regular at the gay club where the bartenders knew him by name.
Sam introduced himself to the world Sunday night as an N.F.L. prospect who just happens to be gay. Now, he is poised to become a trailblazer in a violent and macho world that will scrutinize his every action and turn his private life into a very public debate. Related Coverage
But Sam has never had it easy. He grew up about 40 miles southeast of Houston near Galveston Bay in Texas, the seventh of eight children. Three of his siblings have died and two brothers are in prison. He lived briefly in the back seat of his mother’s car, and his relationship with his family remains complicated: when he visits home, he usually stays with friends.
*
But to get a sense of the challenges awaiting Sam, look no further than his father.
Last Tuesday, Michael Sam Sr. was at a Denny’s near his home outside Dallas to celebrate his birthday when his son sent him a text message.
Dad, I’m gay, he wrote.
The party stopped cold. “I couldn’t eat no more, so I went to Applebee’s to have drinks,” Sam Sr. said. “I don’t want my grandkids raised in that kind of environment.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
That’s racist! An African-American prostitute in their own neighborhood wasn’t good enough for him?
Sometime soon, all the teams' management will get together to decide who HAS to draft him.
Somebody has to, and this guy has just ratcheted-up the pressure on that team and himself. For what purpose, I just don't know.
Oh yeah, a real American HERO.
NFL teams exist to make money, not win games. The two often coincide, but not always.
In this case, I think the teams wouldn’t much care either way, but the NFL badly, badly wants an openly gay player.
I think the profit margin on pushing the gay angle is about zero, or less.
Hey, there Bro! [Secret White Boy Club handshake] I didn’t know you were a member!
I haven’t seen you at any of the Oppressors Lodge meetings. Or are you more of an Imperialist Racist Sexist Homophobe kinda guy? Are you going to the national Privilege rally this spring? I can have my Lear Jet pick you up.
And remember, the Feds have the “Sword of Damocles” hanging over the NFL in the form of the Antitrust Exemption.
I contrast this coverage to what they did to Tim Tebow. I wonder what will happen if he goes undrafted?
Funny,I dont see any horns on him,,,
I being gay is really normal - why do they make such a fuss about it?
“When will this crap stop?’
When conservatives get control of the media.
I heard a sports guy say last night that this guy is a bit undersized for the way the position is played in the NFL. Imagine the army of lawyers coming after you if you draft this guy but cut him at the end of preseason.
NYT all homosexual all the time.
LOL!!
“Time to stop watch the NFL if he’s drafted.”
No doubt about that.
And not to mention the exclusion of Tim Tebow from a starting QB jib in the NFL.
The denial of Rush Limbaugh’s right to own an NFL team.
The inclusion of the multicultural Coke ad that promotes homosexual marriage.
And finally, a homosexual in the NFL who our children will have to watch, his teammates that will be forced to undress in front of him and opposing QB’s will have to suffer the threat and humiliation of being sacked by Sam.
“Roger Goodell’s gay brother calls Michael Sam an ‘instant hero’”
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/goodell-s-gay-brother-calls-michael-sam-an-instant-hero-021114
Looks like this is going to be put on the fast track.
Rumors of the NFL’s demise are NOT exaggerated.
they would and will if they need viewers. It is all about filling the stadium. Some idiot from NYC or SF will “advise” this would be a ratings move without realizing the vast majority would find it repulsive and be a death sentence for a team.
low taxes are good for business but look at the idiots in DC.
He did this in an attempt to guarantee to be drafted. If no one drafts him he will cry “prejudice and hate” towards gays.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.