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SPOR T S
What’s Next for Michael Sam?
ANDREW CYR
Sports Editor
A few weeks ago, Citlally Maciel wrote an article on these pages describing, among other things,
the National Football League’s (NFL) history
of condoning “acts of homophobia, bullying and
discrimination” amongst its executives and players. No one could have predicted how timely this
article would prove to be, as the league’s collective
attitude towards tolerance, respect, and acceptance
is going to be put to the test like never before over
the coming months.
On Feburary 9th, Missouri defensive end
and NFL draft prospect Michael Sam publicly
announced that he is gay. If Sam gets drafted
he will become the only openly gay player in the
NFL and in major North American pro sports.
Several players have come out after they retired,
and there are likely others who have chosen
not to come outl however, Sam would be the
first player to have his sexual orientation publicly known during his active playing days. The
timing of the announcement is impeccable, not
only because the NFL has come under fire for
locker-room bullying and a discriminatory atmosphere as of late, but also on account of the Sochi
Olympics, and the associated backlash against
Russia’s laws against homosexual “propaganda.”
While this is certainly just a coincidence (the
timing of the announcement was largely driven
by Sam’s realization that his sexual orientation
was becoming widely known in the football community and he wanted to control the message
himself), the topic of gay-rights in sports is on
the minds of many right now.
It goes without saying that Sam is an incredibly brave man, and a possible trailblazer for
other gay athletes. Missouri coaches and teammates, the media, current and former current NFL players, as well as President Barrack
Obama have exalted his courage. Any negative
reaction to the announcement has certainly been
drowned out by the celebration of Sam’s fortitude.
However, as the news settles in and the
applause begins to dwin F