Michael Sam: Is America Ready?
Even if you’re not a football fan or follow ESPN, I’m sure somewhere on the social media networks you’ve heard of the name Michael Sam. The St. Louis Rams drafted him in the seventh round making Sam the first openly gay player in the NFL. This made headlines all over the news, social media and overpowered sport networks. Many became upset at how largely it has been reported on television and how far it has been taken such as the Michael Sam shower report on ESPN. On the upside, Sam has significantly become a role model for many people such as those in the gay community.
The NY Times reported, on Saturday, Sam made headlines again when the Rams announced that their 53- men roster will no longer include him along with other late round draft picks such as Garrett Gilbert, Christian Bryant and Mitchell Van Dyk. Rams Coach Jeff Fisher told reporters that “Sam has been a class act all the way.” Understandably, the fact that Sam was cut shows that the NFL is a tough place, here to win games and that there is no room for sentiment. According to NY Times the reasoning for his cut was simple, the Ram did not need help in the defensive end. Fisher stated that it was strictly a “football decision” and not a matter of his sexuality.
After, Sam went to Twitter and stated, “the most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I’ve always known. The journey continues.”
Which raises the simple, yet complex question, “Is America Ready?”
Looking at the positivity from the commenters, Facebook and Twitter, I’d say we have hope and so does Michael Sam in his football career. According to NBCnews, Gay-rights groups see Sam’s entry in the league as a milestone in the equal rights movement. His strong preseason performance leaves people confident that he’ll soon get picked up by another team looking for a piece of his talent.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/michael-sam-no-issues-fitting-211004486–nfl.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/31/sports/football/michael-sam-still-an-inspiration-after-his-release.html
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/america-ready-despite-cut-rams-still-hope-michael-sam-n192536
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I have been following this topic regularly, mostly because I’m generally an avid sports fan. Over the past few months, I have found the reporting on Sam, as you mentioned, to be outrageous and unnecessary. Just last week, there was a SportsCenter report by Josina Anderson on Sam’s showering habits. Ridiculous. Also, I have to agree with Jeff Fisher and the other coaches when they say cutting Sam was purely a football decision. In the NFL, a multi-billion dollar industry, all decisions, especially draft decisions, are made with a strictly football mindset. If Michael Sam was considered to be a distraction and a bad fit for the Rams, he would have been cut a long time ago, or never have been drafted. The Rams most certainly would not waste a tryout spot on giving a man a chance because he is gay. Yes, it is an incredile and remarkable feat that Michael Sam is an openly gay player who made it this far in the NFL. But at the end of the day, he will tell you he is a football player.
http://deadspin.com/espn-reports-on-who-is-and-isnt-showering-with-michael-1626967870
Is this really a question of America being ready or the NFL being ready? The support that Sam has gotten from many Americans and nearly every news outlet shows that America seems to be ready. The fact that Sam, a 7th round pick, has the sixth best selling jersey also supports the fact that America is, and has been, ready for an openly gay football player. However, it is the NFL that needs to adjust. As stated by graves66, there were issues regarding Sam and the locker room showers. I believe that America is ready for Michael Sam, but it will take time for the NFL to adjust. Luckily, though, this process is beginning, as Sam was recently signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad.