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.
]]>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.
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