October 23, 2014
Sports
This May, Sam was originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams, but was cut from the team later in the summer. Soon after, the Dallas Cowboys opted to pick up the rookie Defensive End for their practice squad. However, Dallas also ended Sam’s NFL dreams by cutting him yesterday.
In response to his release, Sam posted the following statement to his Twitter account:
“I want to thank the Jones family and the entire Cowboys organization for their opportunity, as well as my friends, family, teammates, and fans for their support. While this is disappointing, I will take the lessons I learned here in Dallas and continue to fight for an opportunity to prove that I can play every Sunday.”
Michael Sam made worldwide headlines for affectionately kissing his boyfriend on live television following his draft selection. Although many applauded his bold move to immediately “come out” in the macho sport of football, others predicted it would be the kiss of death for his rookie career.
Was “the kiss” the beginning of the end for Michael Sam?
Was "the kiss" the beginning of the end for Michael Sam? [….]
No. I don't think so.
In fact, seeing how this whole thing has played out…I'd say his decision to *Out* himself right before the NFL draft probably was the actual "beginning of the end" for him. But "the kiss" certainly didn't help matters either…smh.
Having said all that – Sam got cut from a practice squad. A PRACTICE SQUAD!!!….which tells me he's NOT good enough to play in the NFL at ANY level. Period.
When you're attempting to break down barriers and crush racist and bigoted stereotypes…particularly being "the First" of your kind ….you HAVE to be better than just *good enough.* You HAVE to be Exceptional….the *Best of the Best.* And that's especially so for people of Color who may also be Gay…no matter the profession one aspires to work in.
As an"Out" athlete, seeking to play in a Male dominant brutal sport like the NFL it's a No-brainer. You'd better be the NFL equivalent of Jackie Robinson (exceptional skill set, natural ability AND temperament) or better…if you want to be given a real opportunity to play.
I think Michael Sam had two problems. One he's not good enough to play on a professional level. But the whole coming out gay and kissing on tv really did him in. He was only on a practice squad. If they really liked him and saw some potential they could have just kept him and gave him a chance. If he had just concentrate on football first and made a name for himself then came out that would have been different. But no, he had to prove a point before he had even proved to anybody he could play football. That was a big mistake. I remember watching when he was drafted and thought he was doing way to much with that kiss as a rookie. Football is all about proving yourself. In the end I think that killed his chances.
Although I fully support a person's choice to do what is right for them, I think there are times when we have to prioritize and look at things from more of a peripheral view than dead on. There are those times when we are trying to build specific things, me must take stock of what is actually needed to accomplish it. I think in Micheal Sam's case the cart might have gotten in front of the horse.
Yes. I agree the cart unfortunately did get in front of the horse. 🙁
Tues. Nov. 25, 2014
GayNewsNtework: "Michael Sam Wishes He Hadn’t Come Out Publicly"
Out athlete Michael Sam has told GQ magazine while he doesn't regret coming out – he wishes he hadn’t been so public with his admission.
"If I had it my way, I never would have done it the way I did, never would have told it the way I did," says Sam, in his cover story for the latest edition of GQ.
"I would have done the same thing I did at Mizzou — which was to tell my team and my coaches and leave it at that.
"But the recruiters knew, and reporters knew, and they talked to each other, and it got out. If I didn’t have the year I did, nobody would have cared. But I have no regrets."
H/T: OutFront
On the contrary, I think Sams has a lot of regret not only for his decision to *Out* himself so publicly before the draft (see my initial response 4 wks ago). But also that very public kiss on national tv with his boyfriend.